James William Halm

James William Halm, 90, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Ottawa Pavilion Nursing Home. Visitation will be at Ottawa Funeral Home from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, November 22, 2015 with prayers at 2:45 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 23, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Father Augustin Kassa officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with Military Services. James was born December 3, 1924 in Ottawa, Illinois to James and Elizabeth (Loebach) Halm. He married Norma Jean Johnson June 10, 1950; she passed away January 17, 1994. He proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII during the Pacific Theater. He worked for Illinois Bell as an inside lineman. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, K of C Fourth Degree, VFW, and American Legion. He is survived by four daughters, Deborah (Steve) Martin, Pamela (Robert) Thrush, Barbara (David) Ciosek, and Gaylene (Michael) Oesterreich; a close family friend, Matthew Murry; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma Jean; two sons, Terrence Halm and Richard Halm; son-in-law, Craig Kennealy; and five siblings, Catherine Ohlmacher, Vincent Halm, Francis Halm, Lawrence Halm, and John Halm. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brad and Terry Martin, Chris, Nick, and Bobby Thrush, Ronnie and Robbie Halm, and Jacob Oesterreich. Memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Church.