CHARLESTON, IL – James Russell Lanman, age 86 of Charleston, passed away while in the comforting presence of his loving family on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Visitation for family and friends will be held this afternoon (Sunday) December 23, 2012 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 4th Street in Charleston with Reverend Walter Carlson officiating. Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or to Camp New Hope which offers recreational programming for special needs individuals. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
Jim was born on July 2, 1926 in Morgan Township near Rardin, Illinois and was one of twelve children born to the late Andrew and Gladys (Daugherty) Lanman. He married Mary Marjorie Ashby on June 19, 1955 and they have lovingly shared the past fifty-seven years of marriage and friendship. In addition to his loving wife Marge, Jim is survived by three devoted children, son, Michael Lanman and wife Jode of Charleston, daughters, Jeanne Gossett of Grapevine, Texas and Jill Lanman of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, Alexis, Natalie, Jared and Valerie Gossett and Ben Lanman; two sisters, Imogene McClanahan of Charleston and Neva Cutri of Cathedral City, California; a brother, Robert Lanman and wife Dorothy of Charleston; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Lanman of LaVerne, California and Jeanne (Ashby) Hall of Litchfield Park, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by four sisters, Opal Chesser, Marguerite Hamilton, Vivian Cook and Lucille Porter; and four brothers, Harold "Porky" Lanman, Charles Lanman, Andrew Lanman, and Paul Lanman.
Jim was a U.S. Army Veteran, faithfully serving his country in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and in the liberation of Southern Philippines during World War II. For sixteen years Jim owned and operated Lanman Hardware located on the north side of the Charleston Square. Later, Jim, along with brother Bob, established Lanman Oil Company, which remains a family owned and operated business today. Jim is a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, Charleston Elks B.P.O.E. #623, Charleston Moose Lodge #1388, Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M., the Charleston Country Club, EIU Panther Club and a Life Member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592.
Jim enjoyed a good round of golf, was an avid sports fan who followed Charleston Trojan, EIU Panther and University of Illinois sporting events, and was a loyal St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. Jim's devotion and commitment to his family was apparent in all that he did. For Marge, Jim was not only a loving husband but a devoted friend. He worked hard at being a good provider for his family and a good role model for his children as well. His grandchildren experienced the love and devotion of a proud grandfather who was their biggest fan in all they did.
Jim was a true gentleman whose life was centered round his faith, his family and his friends. He created a better world for all through his gentle disposition and his calm approach to life, and he richly blessed the lives of all he met.Click here to view Jim's memorial video.
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