James Howell, Sr

James L. Howell, Sr.

“Jim”

Age 83 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 6, 2020.

Born May 19, 1937 in Oconee, Illinois, James Lewis was a son of John C. Howell, Sr. and Fern (Rhodes) Howell. He moved with his family when he was young to Wilmington, where he was raised and educated.

On June 9, 1956, Jim married Louella Waldron in Wilmington, where together they made their home and raised their family. Jim worked his entire life as a mechanic and held employment with Stonebridge, Celotex, Cel-Fibe and Johnson & Johnson Personal Products, from where he retired.

One who loved the outdoors, Jim enjoyed fishing and hunting, but most of all loved mushroom hunting. He also took pleasure in both reading westerns, as well as watching them on television. Family was always of utmost importance, and he cherished spending time with his family and spoiling his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lou; four children: Christine (Calvin) Flint of Braidwood, James Jr. (Gina) Howell of Coal City, Daniel (Kathy) Howell of Woodridge and Peggy Novy of Reddick; (10) grandchildren: Brandy (Joe)  Scheer of Coal City, Nicole (Doug Richey) Flint of Braidwood, Tiffani (Ron) Picco of Bolingbrook, Ashley (Sean) Kendall of Wheaton, Amber Howell of Hobe Sound, Florida, Kayla (Cole) Schoolman of Kenwood, Texas, Jackie Flint (fiancé, Brian Hedrick) of Wilmington, Ashton Borden of Crest Hill, Abby Novy (fiancé, Joey Etzkorn) of Braceville and Collin Borden of Woodridge; (9) great grandchildren: Austin, Hayley, Kylee, Cody, Cayden, Nathan, Emmett, Liam and Quinn, with another expected; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dan Murphy of Wilmington, Lester (Betty) Waldron of California, Lorraine Vilt of Carbon Hill and Leila Rhodes of Wilmington and numerous cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John C. Howell, Jr. and William Howell, one sister, Karen Murphy, and his son-in-law, Cary Novy.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Monday, November 9. 2020 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Due to current pandemic guidelines, face masks will be required for attendees and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order. Funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for the visitation.

A private family funeral service will be held on Tuesday morning in the funeral home, and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Jim’s grandchildren.

Those wishing to participate in the service, via live stream, are welcome to connect online through Jim's memorial page on Tuesday morning beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Jim’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/obituary/James-HowellSr

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. ( 815-476-2181 )