James Rector

James Rector, 80, of Carrier Mills went to be the Lord Saturday, July 16, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 2, 1942 to Onley and Nettie Sweet Rector. How does one even begin to write an obituary for a loved one, especially when they mean so much to you? I am going to attempt this but I know I will leave so many things out and fall short of how truly great he was. Jim was an amazing man. He was loving, caring for others as if they were his own children, grandchildren, and so on. He loved his family. He served the Lord faithfully at Dorrisville Baptist Church by worship and volunteering. He was a servant for others by always serving his community. He was chairperson for the senior citizens of Harrisburg, the former mayor of Carrier Mills, formerly on the Fire Department in Carrier Mills, and the former sheriff of Kankakee. He cared for others by giving horse “therapy” lessons to youth with disabilities. Was he perfect? No, not in this world anyway, but he is now, and praising his savior. Jim was an active man. When he was younger he rode in the rodeo on bulls and loved to horseback ride. He loved playing pool and was active in several pool leagues. He was an avid bass fisherman, fishing in tournaments with his teammates and with his family and grandchildren. He was hard working. He retired from Southeastern Illinois College and Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg, but yet he didn’t stop there. He went on working at Rural King and then for Jim Hayes Inc. He always had a sense of humor even to the end. Jim married the former Ardith Ragel on April 16, 1970, she preceded him in death on June 4, 2001. He then married Andrea Baker on November 7, 2003, who survives. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, grandchild, Billie Sue Wenzel. Left to cherish in these and many other memories of Jim are his wife Andrea Baker Rector, children James R. Rector, Karl Rector, Billy (Christy) Wenzel, Shannon (Dallas) Wenzel, Dale (Booger) Wenzel, Mary Gray, Benita (Cyle) Turner, a special daughter, Marcia Milburn Gehle. Sisters Dorothy Williams and Mona (Doug) Sherfield Waggoner. 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Per Jim’s request there will be no public funeral services or visitation. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Jim’s memorial fund and sent to Peoples National Bank to help cover expenses. If you would like to see Jim just follow the “Romans Road” . Start off on Romans 3:23 then turn left to Romans 3:10-18, turn right to Romans 6:23, turn left to Romans 5:8, then you are almost there, turn right to Romans 10:9, then on to Romans 10:13 turn left to Romans 5:1 and rest at Romans 8:1 and stop at Romans 8:38-39. Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills entrusted with the arrangements.