Donald Joseph James, 81, of Ellery, IL passed away on October 1, 2026, in Fairfield, Illinois.
He was born July 29, 1945 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, the son of Joseph Ellsworth and Hilda Marie (Reisinger) James. He married Deanna Kinkade on November 26, 1966 at Friedens United Church of Christ in Browns, Illinois and they enjoyed many happy years together. Don was a farmer, plus he worked at Champion Laboratories for 22 years and Pacific Press & Shear in Mt. Carmel for 14 years. He was a past president of the AINAD Motor Patrol.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna; children Roger (Rita) James , Janie (Sam) Wilcoxon and Joanie (Terry) Jones, and Kevin (Kristina) James; grandchildren Alexis, Kaeli, Kinzi, Trenton, Jackson and Josie; and a great grandchild, Collins. Also surviving are his sister, Margaret Ellen (Mike) Sundstrom.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Ruth Ann Kohlmann and Jacob William James.
Visitation services for Don James will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Ingram Meridith Funeral Home in Albion, Illinois. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Parkersburg, Illinois. Full military rites will be performed at the cemetery.
Memorials in the name of Donald Joseph James may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Ingram Meridith Funeral Home of Albion, Illinois is honored to assist the family of Donald Joseph James with arrangements.
