James G. McCurdy

James G. McCurdy, age 86, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 1:10 am on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on April 26, 1929 in Kewanee, Illinois, the son of Clarence E. and Irene A. (McDaniel) McCurdy. He was a graduate of Wyoming, IL High School. Jim attended college at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, earning his BS in Vocational Agriculture and his MS in Agricultural Industries. He also attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for a time. Jim proudly served his country from 1951-1953 in the United States Army where he attained the rank of Sgt. with the Aviation Engineers. On June 20, 1953, Jim married Caroline G. Aschenbrenner at the Congregational Church in Amboy, Illinois and she is surviving. Jim enjoyed a 41 year career with the University of Illinois Extension Service. He was the assistant farm advisor in Lee and Kane Counties, associate adviser in LaSalle County, and Farm Advisor (later Extension Advisor-Agriculture) in Edwards and Warren Counties. Jim belonged to many organizations throughout his career including the National Association of Co. Ag. Agents, the North Central Chapter of Public Relations, Illinois Extension Advisers Association (past president), Epsilon Sigma Phi (past president of Illinois Chapter), Alpha Zeta, Alpha Tau Alpha, and Phi Kappa Phi. He also served as an Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and cooked for the Church after school program. Jim was a Rotary past president and Paul Harris Fellow, served on the Hospital Board for 11 years (President for 2 years), elected to the Monmouth School Board of Education (President for 7 years), member of the Commerce Board, and member of the United Way-Rural Chapter. He was proud to be a 21+ gallon donor with the Army, Red Cross, and Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Jim is survived by his wife, Caroline; son, Mark (Lora) McCurdy of Petersburg, Illinois; two daughters, Beth Swedeen of Madison, Wisconsin and Lynn Bowman of Monmouth, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Amelia and Cara Swedeen; Megan, Andrew, Katie, Michael McCurdy; and Amanda Bowman. Two sisters also survive, Rosemary Eckstein of Peoria, Illinois and Martha Mosher of Washington, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald McCurdy of Wyoming, Illinois.

A Memorial Service is planned for 11:00 am on Monday, July 27, 2015 at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, Illinois. His family plan to receive friends from 10:00-11:00 prior to the service at the Church. Cremation is being accorded. The family would like to invite all friends to enjoy lunch in the social hall at Faith United Presbyterian Church after the service. A memorial fund is being established for Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth. For more information, or to leave a condolence, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com