James E. Eggleston

1962 - 2024

James E. Eggleston
Born: June 16, 1962
Died: December 10, 2024
James "Jim" Edward Eggleston, born on June 16, 1962, in Waukegan, IL to Joan and the late Lawrence Eggleston, passed away at age 62 in his home on December 10, 2024, in Sterling, Illinois of heart failure.
Jim's love of his family (especially his children), friends, church, and community were evident in the way he lived his life. His faith in Christ sustained him through all of life's challenges. He was involved all his life in his church - serving as an elder, an officer, and on many committees. He read scripture during the morning church service at Messiah Lutheran Church the previous Sunday. He also cared deeply about the community of Sterling- serving on many fundraisers and on the Board of the Rock River Hospice and Home.
Jim was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 10 and overcame all of the challenges that came with the diagnosis, helping many others in their management of the disease. Jim graduated from Walnut High School in 1980. While in high school, he excelled as an athlete - especially in basketball. He also studied at Sauk Valley Community College. Jim worked for 31 years for Bun Austin Chevrolet and then for Kunes Country as a manager and sales professional, where he was employed at the time of his death. His many contacts and friends through his life in the automobile industry meant the world to him. Jim enjoyed being with friends and family, fishing, boating, and cooking.
He is survived by his children, Jami (Jon) Fritz and Josh (Erin Clark) Eggleston; mother, Joan Eggleston; his sisters, Mary (Tom) Mably, Jennifer (Bob) Drayton, and Kiki (Greg) Backoff; grandchildren, Alexys Estrada and Grayson Fritz, Leo and Liza Clark, and nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Mably, Nicholas (Liz) Drayton, Benjamin (Sierra) Drayton, Samantha Backoff, and Emma Backoff. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Eggleston, and his brother, Carl Eggleston, as well as his grandparents.
A gathering of friends and family will take place on Saturday January 11, 2025 from 9-11 AM at Messiah Ev. Lutheran Church in Sterling followed by a Memorial services at 11 AM. Arrangements entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory.
Donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church in Sterling, IL to the Rock River Hospice and Home or to the March of Dimes. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks for the life-saving efforts provided prior to his death by the Sterling police and EMS. Jim would have wanted you to know how he valued you all.