James W. Archer

James W. Archer, age 89, of Evergreen Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025.

Born in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio, Jim also spent part of his childhood in West Virginia before returning to Cleveland. He later attended St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, where he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen (1937–2009). After college, he moved to Chicago, where they married and built a life together, sharing 50 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and faith. They made their home in Evergreen Park, where they raised their family.

Family was always at the center of Jim’s world. He was especially close to his in-laws, Ray and Sis McDermott, whose love and presence shaped many treasured family memories.

Jim built his career with Equitable, which later became Cigna, and retired at the age of 57. Retirement gave him the great gift of time, which he joyfully spent with his grandchildren, on the golf course, and enjoying winters in Florida. A lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox, Jim’s loyalty to his teams was unwavering.

Jim is survived by his children, Mike (Lori) Archer and Maureen (Bob) Collins; his grandchildren, Brandon (Lisette) Collins, Aubrey (Diego) Rumore Mendoza, Cayla Collins, and Grace Archer; and his great-granddaughter, Emiliana Mary Ellen Collins. He is also survived by his brother, Rev. Richard Archer, and his sister, Ruth McDevitt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raphael and Erma Archer, his beloved wife Mary Ellen, and his sister Anne Knoblauch.

Jim will be remembered for his devotion to family, his generosity of spirit, his gentle humor, and the joy he found in life’s simple pleasures. His family takes comfort in knowing he is reunited with Mary Ellen in eternal life.