James William Nethery Jr.

James William Nethery, Jr. (Jim), age 92, passed away on June 18, 2025, at Radford Green in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He was born on January 12, 1933, in Quincy, Illinois to Alta Cory and James William Nethery.
Jim attended Quincy High School where he lettered in basketball and track and played trombone in the marching band. In 1955 he graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. After college he served 2 years in the U.S. Army as a commissioned active-duty officer and served 4 more years in the Army Reserves.
It was in Kansas City that he met his future wife, Maxine Von Flue. They married December 29,1957.
Jim Nethery lived his life with generosity, optimism, humor and an unshakable commitment to learning and exploration. Jim's life was marked by a drive to help others realize their dreams and his chosen career in human resources was a perfect fit.
He spent his entire professional life in human resources, retiring from TWA in his 50's and opening an outplacement firm, James Nethery & Associates. Well known for his career advice, a conversation with Jim made a lasting impact on many. Decades later, people still remember how he helped them find their best fit jobs. Advice that he often gave - and that is remembered and repeated by friends is this: "Look back over your life to the days that you wake up and can't wait to go to your job as well as the days you dreaded going to work. Those days tell you what you need to know about your ideal work. Think about what people tell you you're great at, and what people tell you to improve. Their perspective helps you look in the right places." Jim's best days always involved inspiring others.
Jim was constantly learning. He learned photography, how to golf, fly a plane, pilot a sailboat, build and finish a home, scuba dive, build and fly model airplanes. His deep love of history – particularly Lincoln and the American Civil War – called him to share his knowledge with others. He was active in the Chicago chapter of the Civil War Roundtable and served as President from1998 to 1999. He was also an active member, elder and deacon at the Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Illinois. Jim and his wife, Maxine, shared a love of travel. They traveled extensively, often with family and visited Europe frequently. They developed a deep love for Hawaii and spent many winters there in later years.
James is survived by his loving wife, Maxine Von Flue Nethery, his daughters Karen Robertson and her husband Michael Robertson; Janice Benson and her partner James Wygonski, and his grandchildren Melissa Wygonski (Benson), Jennifer Davis (Benson), Michael Benson, Ben Robertson and Connor Robertson and great-grandchildren Kora Wygonski and Orion Davis. James was preceded in death by his eldest granddaughter, Amanda Krigbaum who passed away in 2019.
His remains will be interred in the garden wall at the Village Presbyterian Church in a service to be determined at a later date.