James Lauterbach Sr.

1945 - 2025

James (Jim) Lauterbach, Sr.
Born: October 8, 1945 in Joliet, IL
Died: January 6, 2025 in Waco, TX
James R. Lauterbach, Sr., 79, of New Lenox, IL, died January 6, 2025, in Waco, Texas.
He was born on October 8, 1945, to Fred and Lillian Lauterbach in Joliet, IL.
Jim attended Joliet Township High School where he was a member of the baseball team, the amateur radio club, and ROTC; Joliet Junior College where he played baseball; Denver University for his BSBA; DePaul University for his MBA; and John Marshall Law School for his JD. He was a Realtor for many years before he commenced his judicial clerkship with the Illinois Third District Appellate Court, followed by his private law practice which spanned almost forty years in Illinois and Colorado.
He married Joyce Canterbury (Boothe) and they had two children, Jim Jr., and Jennifer. He later married Mary Heitzman and gained her son, Mike.
Jim is survived by his son James (Amy) Lauterbach, Jr. of Rock Island, IL, his daughter Jennifer (Steve) Jordan of Georgetown, TX, his stepson Mike (Kimberly) Denson of Chapel Hill, NC, his grandchildren: Logan (Rahmana) Lauterbach of Carlisle, IA, Chance Lauterbach of Rock Island, IL, Cody Stephens, Cynthia Jordan and Aubrey Jordan, all three of Georgetown, TX, Kirsten Leclair of Haw River, NC and Ryland Denson; his niece and nephews: Elizabeth (Erik) Sorenson of Blacksburg, VA, Greg (Denise) Schlueter of Highland Springs, VA, Mark Schlueter of Surfside Beach, SC, Brad Patton and Kelly Patton, both of Greenville, SC and his best friend Barb Brixey of Joliet, IL, in addition to numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews and many other good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Lillian (James) Lauterbach; his sister Rita (Lauterbach) Schlueter, his brother-in-law, Mike Schlueter, his first wife, Joyce Boothe, his second wife, Mary Lauterbach, his sister-in-law, Kathy (Canterbury-Patton) Oelrich, his niece Julie (Mark) Schlueter and his beloved dogs: Brandy, Bingo, Ben, Cooper, Lucy, and Molly.
Jim was an avid bowler, golfer, and amateur radio operator most of his life, winning numerous awards. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Rivals Club, Shriners, Mason Lodge, National and Illinois Associations of Realtors and Joliet-Will County Board of Realtors, Will County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Colorado State Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Radio Relay League (ARRL - National Association for Amateur Radio), Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club (MARAC), Joliet Amateur Radio Society, Will County Stamp Club, New Lenox Public Library Board, Morton Arboretum (where he also volunteered), and As Good as Gold-Golden Retriever Rescue of IL.
Jim was a respected member of the community who knew no strangers and was a great and cherished friend to those that had the good fortune to have that friendship. Lives were truly made better by his presence. He was always kind and had a genuine concern for the happiness of others. He was an all-around good guy.
A memorial service will be Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11am at Faith Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to As Good as Gold-Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois at www.asgoodasgold.org (click on small box to dedicate the donation and specify "in memory of Jim Lauterbach"), or by mailing a check to 518 S Route 31 STE 178, McHenry, IL 60050.