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James Grant Lair, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

By June 19, 2018Obituaries

James Grant Lair, 91, of Mendota died May 28, 2018 at his residence.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Kent Svendsen officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa with military rites by the American Legion. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services on June 2 at the funeral home.

James was born Nov. 2, 1926 in Jacksonville to Harold William and Frances (Goodman) Lair. He married Margaret Sevier on March 13, 1946 in Rhode Island.

Survivors include his wife of Mendota; three sons, James (Sharon) Lair of Sacramento, Calif., William (Cheryl) Lair of Charleston and John (MaryEllen) Lair of Streator; two daughters, Barbara (Mike) Bokus of Mendota and Judy Lair of Mansfield; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Harold, Jr., Jack, Harry and Erle.

James was a graduate of Bradley University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was employed by Wahfelds Manufacturing Co. as a sales representative. He was a member of Mendota First United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, Ottawa Jaycees and The Honor Flight.

Memorials may be directed to Shriner’s Crippled Children.

James has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.