James Anderson Jr.

James "Jim" Anderson, Jr., 87, of Seneca, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa, Illinois. Visitation will be held at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home, 135 E. Lincoln Street, Seneca, Illinois, on Thursday, April 30, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant View Lutheran Home Chapel, 505 College Avenue, Ottawa, Illinois, with Rev. Philip Peterson of Stavanger Lutheran Church officiating. A private dinner will be held following the memorial service at Jim's favorite pizza place, Bianchi's Pizza. Born on June 12, 1927, in Toluca, Illinois, he was the son of James Theodore and Anna (Jurkanin) Anderson. Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Joseph Richard Anderson on December 20, 1974; his wife, JoAnne (Moore) Anderson on September 6, 1977; and his sisters, Lucille (Joseph) Schaefer on May 21, 1999, and Marge (Robert) Jordan on May 13, 2014. Jim is survived by his two brothers, Richard and William "Bill" Anderson of Seneca, Illinois; one sister, MaryAnn (Robert) Bishop of Yorktown, Virginia; his five children, James "Jim" (Judy) Anderson of Peru, Illinois; Susan Anderson of Ottawa, Illinois; Margie (Steve) Little of Rollo, Illinois; Lisa (Doug) Ramsey of Morris, Illinois; and Jerry (Kim) Anderson of Streator, Illinois; his seven grandchildren, Karissa (Jim) Johnson of Seneca, Illinois; Casey (Teresa) Anderson of Utica, Illinois; Michael Anderson of San Antonio, Texas; Aubrie and Shauna Little of Rollo, Illinois; and Kohl and Zach Anderson of Streator, Illinois; and his five great-grandchildren, Riley, Teagan, and Talia Johnson of Seneca, Illinois; and Layla and Noah Anderson of San Antonio, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim served his country as a cook/baker in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Jim served on the Seneca High School Board of Education. He was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, Illinois. He went on to teach hydraulics at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Illinois. He was a very devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Seneca, Illinois. He helped run the Seneca Food Pantry, travelling many miles to pick up food from various Northern Illinois Food Banks. Jim was also a member of The Gideons International and the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. Jim's greatest passion was his family and church friends. He loved to cook, and many gatherings were held at his home in Seneca, Illinois, where his famous grilled chicken was always a hit. His greatest past-time was fishing for catfish and sturgeon in Fort Atkinson and Lodi, Wisconsin, with his fishing buddy and best friend, Joseph "Joe" Bentz. Upon Joe's death, Jim's brother, Bill, accompanied him on all fishing trips. Memorials may be directed to the Seneca Food Pantry or the donor's choice.