URBANA – In Loving memory of James Donald Quisenberry (1935 to 2007).

James D. Jim Quisenberry passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Meadowbrook Center at Clark-Lindsey Village, where he had been convalescing after a stroke he suffered in April 2006. He died peacefully during an afternoon rest.

Jim was born in rural Boone County, Ind., to William Donald Bill Quisenberry and Mary Florence (McNutt) Quisenberry on June 8, 1935. His wife, Nancy Lou (Forbes) Quisenberry and both of his parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, James P. Quisenberry; his daughter-in-law, Jill M. (Rogers) Quisenberry; and his grandson, James William Will Quisenberry. An infant son, Curt Franklin Quisenberry also preceded him in death. His brother, Morris Quisenberry, of Indianapolis, and three sisters, Joy Bayless of Crawfordsville, Ind., Nancy Moore of Waynetown, Ind., and Janet Quisenberry of Crawfordsville, Ind., also survive.

Jim attended high school in Alamo and Crawfordsville, Ind., and graduated in 1953. He joined the Army and served from 1955 to 1958, including tours of duty in Germany and Vietnam. He attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute and obtained an AB (1961) and an MA (1962) in English education. While at Terre Haute, he met Nancy Quisenberry, and they were married in Washington, Ind., on Feb. 6, 1960. Their first son, Curt Franklin Quisenberry was born in June 1962, but died three days after birth.

While residing in Speedway, Ind., Jim taught language arts for two years at Speedway High School. He and Nancy lived in Germany for a year, where they worked at the American Dependents School in Baumholder. When they returned to Indiana, their second son, James Paul Quisenberry, was born Aug. 22, 1965. Jim continued to teach High School through May 1967 and worked summers as a naturalist at Brown County State Park.

Nancy and Jim relocated to Bloomington, Ind., where they both pursued doctoral degrees at Indiana University. Jim received his Ph. D. in English Education & Linguistics in 1972.

Jim joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale as an assistant professor for curriculum and instruction in the College of Education in 1971. He taught language arts and childrens literature for 15 years. He also spent several years supervising student teachers in Carbondale. He served on over 110 degree candidate committees, chairing for 10 masters candidates and 19 Ph. D. candidates. His students have gone on to serve the cause of education throughout the world. He published two books as editor, contributed five chapters to additional books and refereed many journal articles and book reviews in various professional journals.

In 1989, Jim took the position of director of international programs and services. He served with distinction, receiving multiple recognitions from international student organizations. He retired from SIU-C in 1995.

Jim was devoted to education both locally and internationally. For his contributions to the Carbondale Elementary District 95, he was inducted to their Hall of Fame in 2001. He was active in Phi Delta Kappa and served as chapter president in 1979. He received the International Distinguished Service Award in 1994 for his support of international education at SIU-C.

He was active in the Association for Childhood Education International, the International Council on Education for Teaching and the Mid America Universities International, where he served as secretary. MAUI honored him with its International Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

In Carbondale, his interests outside of the workplace included his church, public service and the development of downtown Carbondale. He was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, where he served in many capacities, including first reader. He joined the Carbondale Rotary Club in 1974 and served as president of that club in 1979. He served with the Carbondale Business Development Corporation for five years and later the Carbondale Main Street Program for five years.

Jim managed to mix leadership skills with his favorite vacation location, serving on the Association of Apartment Owners at the Cliffs Resort on the island of Kauai. The Cliffs Resort was Jim and Nancys home away from home and for many years they spent three months or more out of the year on Kauais north shore.

After years in Carbondale, Nancy and Jim relocated to Urbana in 2002 to be near their son and daughter-in-law with hopes of grandchildren. Jim soon joined the Urbana Rotary and resumed his interest in learning to fly, eventually achieving his lifelong ambition of owning a plane in 2006. In January 2003, Jim was elated with the arrival of little Will. He spent every moment he could being a grandfather, and he was happiest playing Hawaiian slack-key guitar for his grandson. Wills almost daily visits helped him through his long road of recovery from his stroke.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Visitors will be received starting at 1 p.m. Arrangements for a private burial service in Indiana are pending. A memorial service in Carbondale is also pending.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jims name to the Urbana Rotary Club Charities or the James D. and Nancy L. Quisenberry Scholarship through the Southern Illinois University Foundation.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.