James David "Jim" Chady

James (Jim) David Chady

October 2, 1937 – February 19, 2026

James (Jim) David Chady passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He has reunited with the love of his life, his wife Daryl. Services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Morton Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with a visitation and rosary from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, March 14, at 10:00 am, burial at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery thereafter; and followed by a luncheon at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton.

Jim was born on October 2, 1937. in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

He was the youngest son of Ernest Edward and Mary Lucile (Daley) Chady

Married Daryl Kirsti (Haven) on April 27, 1957 in Watertown, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2012

Jim graduated in 1962 from the University of Wisconsin Platteville with a degree in Mining Engineering.

He went to work immediately after graduation for Old Ben Coal as a mining engineer and held the positions of: Face Boss, Mine Manager, Mine Superintendent, General Superintendent, Safety Director, General Manager & Vice President of the Illinois Division, and spent 4 years in Pennsylvania managing a KITT Energy Corporation owned by Old Ben.

He retired in 1992 and went to work as a consulting engineer for J.T. Boyd Company on a project in the United Kingdom.

He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton Elks, Boccie Ball Club and Past President of the Illinois Mining Institute.

He was an avid golfer. He was a longtime fan of the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinal baseball teams. He loved traveling, bird watching, reading. He also spent time volunteering at the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance food pantry and delivering lunches at Thanksgiving for those who were homebound.

Jim and his wife, Daryl, were partners that owned and operated "Hard Day's Nite" Bed & Breakfast, a historic landmark on the Illinois Historic register. The home was formerly owned by George Harrison's sister, Louise.

Jim is survived by his five children:

Linda Chase & husband Gary of Frisco, TX

David Chady & wife Ruth of Belleville, IL

Jodi Ussery & husband Roy of Corpus Christi, TX

Daniel Chady & wife Shirley of Benton

Peter Chady & wife Christine of Endwell, NY

10 grandchildren

14 great grandchildren

1 brother – John Bernard Chady, San Marcos CA

8 nephews and 7 nieces

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Edward & M. Lucile, wife Daryl Kirsti, brother Edward Joseph, brother Thomas Charles, and sister Mary Therese.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com