James Prentice

James "Jim" Allen Prentice, 77, of Peoria, IL, formerly of Orange, passed away at 4:50 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021 at UnityPoint Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL. Born November 30, 1943 in Canton, OH to Robert and Nathalie (Reid) Prentice, he married Dorcas Dianne Hewelt on January 29, 1965 in Elmhurst, Il. She passed away on April 16, 2014. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are four children, Lauren Howell of Peoria, IL, Landis (Jeremy) Seger of Evansville, IN, Lindsey (Sarah) Prentice of Evansville, IN and Liesl Prentice of Peoria, IL; seven grandchildren, Alexis, Anneliese, Cameron, Connor, Collin, Max and Micah; one brother, Robert (Sandra Surbrugg) Prentice of Cheyenne, WY; two sisters, Nancy (Harvey) Ahitow of Naples, FL and Sally (Bob) Lee of Hickory, NC. Jim graduated from Purdue University in 1964 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity as well as several honorary and academic organizations. Jim spent his career in the plastics engineering field with notable stints with Mattel, Inc. and Apple Computers. He finished his career as the director of engineering at Hayward Pool Products, retiring in 2017. Jim and Dorcas moved to Orange in 1970 where they raised their family and enjoyed many years together before her passing in 2014. After 50 years in Orange, he relocated to Peoria, IL in March of 2020 in order to be closer to his children and their families. He enjoyed traveling, doing projects around the house, and spending time with his family. He loved to work on cars and especially enjoyed time spent on his air-cooled Volkswagens. He calmly and patiently taught his children and two granddaughters how to drive. Following a private visitation for the family, a graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 14 at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, 2000 E Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana. The service will be officiated by Rev. Tim Klinkenberg of St. John's Lutheran Church, Orange. Memorial contributions may be made to Grafelman Farms Rescue, 404 North Capitol Street Pekin Illinois 61554. Jim enjoyed supporting this organization as his youngest daughter fosters many animals on their way to furr-ever homes.