James Carey Cletcher

Age 76 of Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of Downers Grove, Illinois, died Friday, May 22, 2026 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois.

Born July 14, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, James was the son of James and Marjorie (Haase) Cletcher. He was raised in Downers Grove and where he graduated from high school. Jim entered apprenticeship with Pipefitters Local 597, served as a journeyman and dedicated 47 years of service before retiring. He relocated to Wilmington in 1985, and work many industrial jobs throughout Illinois and Indiana, including the Braidwood Nuclear Generation Station, where he would meet Rachael Longest Forsythe. Jim and she married in 1991 and they lived together and made their home in rural Wilmington.

He was a great fan of cars, being a member of the NHRA and the POCI Pontiac Car Club, and collected several classic cars over the years he was very proud of. Jim also took great pleasure in woodworking and refinishing old furniture. Though he was a quiet, stoic individual, he was a kind man who loved his grandchildren dearly.

Survivors include his wife, Rachael Longest Forsythe Cletcher, and his mother-in-law, Carolyn Longest; children: Jennifer (Rick) Arias, Eric Cletcher, Meghan Cletcher, Ryan Cletcher, Daniel Cletcher, Anne Cletcher, and Christine (Clark) Forsythe Allen; daughter-in-law, Cori Forsythe; grandchildren: Corey, Lacey, Jarin, Courtney, Camdon, Cougar, Kellen, Daxton, Levi, Opal, Evelyn, and Stella; great grandchildren: Xavier, Kinzley, Monika, Grayson, Colton, Weston, and Everleigh; brothers and sisters-in-law: Vern Longest, Gloria Longest, Rick (Beth) Longest, Alan Longest, and Melinda Tankersley; uncle, Glenn Haase, and aunt, Carol Haase; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law: LaVern Longest & Virginia Longest; his son, Jason Forsythe; his grandchild, Mason Potter; sister, Peggy Canada; and sister-in-law, Joy Longest.

The family will receive friends at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Friday, May 29, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at 7:00 p.m. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made as gifts in Jim's memory to The Wilmington School District 209-U Foundation for Excellence, 209 U Wildcat Court, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Jim’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)