James Harbaugh

James Franklin Harbaugh, 90 of Tuscola, IL passed away at 5:42 A.M. on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 600 E. Northline Road, Tuscola, IL.  Rev. Jason M. Braaten will officiate.  Burial with military rites conducted by the Tuscola VFW and the Newman American Legion will be in the Tuscola Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the church in Tuscola.  The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

James was born on July 24, 1931 in Tuscola, IL.  He was a son of Benjamin Franklin and Cuma Ethel (Wallace) Harbaugh.  He married Ethel Marie Belles on February 14, 1953 in Tuscola, IL.  She passed away on December 31, 2010.

He is survived by three children, Rev. James F. Harbaugh and his wife Janice of Roseville, MN, Terry L. Harbaugh and his wife Rhonda of Pesotum, IL and Cindy M. Ekstrom of Tuscola, IL; five granddaughters, Dagmar Clutter, April Doyle and her husband Wade, Christine Schwab, Maria Cote and her husband Dan, and Joanna Biessener and her husband Adam; seven great-grandchildren, Christian Rose, Natalie and Nolan Doyle, Charlotte and David Cote, and Elise and James Biessener.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Franklin Harbaugh and Cuma Ethel (Wallace) Harbaugh Rahn, his stepfather, Fred J. Rahn, his wife, Ethel Marie Harbaugh, one brother, Benjamin Quinn Harbaugh, one stepsister, Betty (Rahn) Leonard and his son-in-law, Michael Ekstorm.

James was a 1949 graduate of Tuscola High School.  He served in the Illinois National Guard; Co C 123 Inf. 44th Division and the 44th Headquarters Detachment for two years.  He served in the U.S. Navy in the Amphibious Force during the Cold War from January of 1951 to October of 1954.  He served in the Naval Reserve an instructor and retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 26 years of service to his country.

James worked at Quantum-Lyondell Chemical Plant as a Maintenance mechanic and supervisor. He retired in 1991 with over 36 years of service.

He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tuscola, IL.

James served on the Tuscola City Counsel and served as an Auxiliary Police Officer for the City of Tuscola.  James worked for the Tuscola Park District and umpired baseball games.  He was an awesome bowler, he maintained a 200 average when he bowled in the leagues at the Hi-Way Bowl in Tuscola.  He loved to fish, going on frequent fishing trips to Montauk State Park in southern Missouri on the Current River.

James was a Life Member of the LST 325 Memorial, and he was a Blue Crew Member of the LST 325, the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington DC, the Illinois LST Association, the National LST Association, the Parkland Alumni Association, he was a Life Member of the American Legion Stanton Burgett Post 201 of Newman, and he was a Life Member of the Tommy Martin VFW Post 10009 in Tuscola.

James was the last living Charter member of the Tuscola Lions Club which started in 1956 and he served all the offices of the Club.  He served as District Governor for District 1-E in 1987–1988 and 1995-1996.  He served as State Secretary/Treasurer for 2 years.  He was Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow and Life Member of the Tuscola Lions Club. He has received many Lions International President Certificates and awards.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Tuscola Lions Club.