James Elmas Crim

BEMENT - James Elmas Crim, 81, of Bement died 6:50 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 26, 2006) in St. Mary's Hospital. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Bement United Methodist Church with the Rev. Clyde Snyder officiating. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, Bement, with Masonic Services by the Bement Masonic Lodge 365 A.F. & A.M. Burial will be in Bement Township Cemetery with military rites by the Albert Parker American Legion Post 620. Memorials: Eastview Terrace Nursing Home, Sullivan. Mr. Crim was born Feb. 19, 1924, in Bement, the son of James C. and Ellen Sheppard Crim. He was a builder and contractor from 1946 to 1986. He built numerous homes in Atwood, Bement, Cerro Gordo, Hammond, Ivesdale, Monticello and White Heath. He built and managed the Town House Apartments in Bement. He served in the Army with the 36th Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment, Company A during World War II. During 1943 to 1945, he served in Germany and France. The medals he received were the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, American Campaign, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and European African Middle Eastern Campaign with four battle stars. Mr. Crim graduated from Bement High School in 1942 and was inducted into the Bement High School Hall of Fame on Oct. 1, 2004. He assisted with the construction of the band stands in the Bement city park, assisted with building bleachers in the Bement ball diamond near the city pool, assisted with the Bement United Methodist Church improvements, assisted with the building and maintenance of the Bement Masonic Building, assisted with the installation of the sidewalks, lights and flag at the Bement Township Library, assisted with the installation of the "Welcome to Bement" signs and lights at the entrances to Bement, assisted with the construction of the Veteran's Memorial in Bement and donated his time to several projects involving the Bement schools. He was a member of Bement United Methodist Church, a 57-year member of Bement Masonic Lodge 365, a 57-year member (secretary for 39 years) of Bement Chapter 65 Royal Arch Masons, Bement Masonic Association, Sullivan Council 91, Gil W. Barnard Commandery 074 of Sullivan, Ansar Shriners of Springfield, Decatur Shrine Club, 60-year member of Albert Parker American Legion Post 620 of Bement, lifetime member of the Ray Plummer Post 5192 of Bement, 50-year member of the Bement Fire Protection District as assistant chief and captain, Bement Village Board for 12 years and Bement Planning Commission for four years. He married Inez E. Forcum on June 23, 1950, in Bement. She preceded him in death Feb. 13, 2004. Surviving are his son, Charles L. Crim of Jacksonville; daughters, Janet L. Paoli of Urbana; Peggy S. Wingle of Bement; Debra K. LeBaugh of Mahomet; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one sister. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/LegacyHome.asp