Mr. James R. "Jim" Bailey

Mr. James R. “Jim” Bailey, 78, of Wataga, Illinois died 5:25 a.m. Thursday, January, 2, 2020 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg

He was born November 10, 1941 in Galesburg to Richard H. and Helen J. (Gibson) Bailey.  He married Joan Moore December 2, 1962 in Rio, Illinois. 

Surviving are two sons, Mark (and Rachel) Bailey of Winter Haven, Florida and Jason (and Tracey) Bailey of Galesburg, a sister, Judy (and Gordon) Morris of O’Fallon, Missouri, four grandchildren, Nicholas Bailey, Shelby Lynn Bailey, Olivia Bailey, and Shelby Nicole Bailey, and a special friend, Peggy Hightower of Wataga.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Ann Bailey. 

Jim graduated from AlWood High School in 1959 in Woodhull, Illinois and attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa.  He was a farmer in rural Rio, owned and operated Bailey Feed and Seed in Rio and worked for Crop Production Services in Rio.  He was a truck driver for Simpkins Trucking, Alexis, Illinois and for 13 years drove for DCM Transport Inc. in Galesburg.  He retired from DCM Transport Inc. in May of 2012.  Jim was a member of the former Ontario Congregational Church.  He was a member of Rio Masonic Lodge # 685 for 50 years and was a Master Mason.  He enjoyed reading Western books, hunting and fishing.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and making people happy. 

Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel.  A funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the chapel.  Pastor Maura McGrath-Nagle will officiate.  Cremation will follow the funeral service.  Memorials may be made to Knox County 4-H.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.  

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