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James Stewart Obituary
James Alan Stewart, 66, of Pekin, IL, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020 at his residence.
Jim was born January 6, 1954 in Pekin to James S. and Betty L (Hartman) Rogge Stewart. Jim grew up in Pekin and moved to Mackinaw during his school years. Working at the family owned A&W Root Beer Stand in Mackinaw, he learned from his parents his ethics for hard work. He did move back to Pekin to finish his high school. Jim went to work for Caterpillar and also got his electrical degree. He moved to Michigan to work for General Motors. While in Michigan he also went to Michigan State University and received his political science degree. Jim was very UAW union proud.
On September 24, 1993 Jim married Brenda G. Seets in Michigan. When Jim retired in 2013, they moved back to Pekin. Jim was a member of Pekin Masonic Lodge # 29 and Pekin Moose.
Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda of Pekin; one son, Bryce (Stacey) Stewart of Fenton, MI; one stepdaughter, Heather (Russ) Tabb; stepson, William (April) McGinnis Jr.; seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Tyler Makayla and Jayden Tabb, Tyler and JT Stewart, and Lucas McGinnis; three great-grandchildren, Emily Tabb, Jocelyn Salla and Axel Stewart; two sisters, Sharon Duffin of Pekin, Val (Tony) Nowosielski of Brownsburg, IN; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in law, Rocky Duffin; his stepfather, John Rogge; and mother-in law, Helen Seets.
Graveside services will 2:30 PM Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Mackinaw Township Cemetery. The family will greet friends 1-2 PM Tuesday prior to services at Haensel Funeral Home in Mackinaw. Social distancing and masks are requested at services. Haensel Funeral Home in Mackinaw is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to; Boys & Girls Club of Pekin 1101 Veerman St, Pekin, IL 61554. Online condolences may be made at www.haenselfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Stewart
Sponsored by Haensel-Oswald Funeral Home.
2 Entries
Ray & Ruth Nowosielski
December 8, 2020
One of my earliest memories is Uncle Jim bouncing me on his knee, saying, “Ride a little horsie, go to town, take little Ray and don’t fall down!” then pretend dropping me. He always had a smile and a story and something positive for me. He took a strong interest when I wanted to be a filmmaker (he was very creative in his own right). We made a film together when I was in high school based on his script, a Christmas movie called Twist of Faith, and he invested in one of my first documentaries, a film that unfortunately was never released or made any money, though he never mentioned this to me. His union activism and strong beliefs in the rights of workers inspired me to make the documentary I am working on today — and he changed how I think and see the world. But mostly, when I think of him, I’ll always remember his grin, his love of a slightly messed up joke and sharing some laughter with people he loved, and how he refused to be anyone but himself or to let anyone push him around. He was his own man, a true one of a kind, and a blessing to our family.
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