OTTAWA – James H. “Jim” Boe, age 74, of Ottawa, entered his heavenly home late Sunday afternoon, February 18, 2018.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor David Daniel officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Friday at Gladfelter Funeral Home as well as from 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the church. Pallbearers will be Gary, Aaron, Eric, and Tim Boe, Joe Smith, and Marlin Low. Honorary pallbearers will be the numerous young men who worked for and were mentored by Jim.
Jim was born June 2, 1943 in Ottawa, the son of Howard and Cora (Holm) Boe. He married the love of his life, Marilyn Tershowski, on May 18, 1963 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Surviving are his loving wife, Marilyn; his children, Diana Kanas of Glen Ellyn, IL and Michael (Kahla) Boe of Ottawa; and grandchildren, James M. Boe and Alexander and Stephen Kanas. He also leaves a sister, Corinne (Garland) Craft of Modesto, CA; a brother, Gerry (Patricia) Boe of Joliet; a sister in-law, Elly Boe of Ottawa; Marilyn’s sister and husband, Elizabeth and James Miller; and nieces and nephews, Nancy (Bob) McKim, Carolyn (Rick) Jones, Lisa (Rick) Hanks, Eric (Lisa) Boe, and Tim (Kristi) Boe. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Boe.
Jim was an active member in all his church communities, most recently Zion Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and serving as a leader. He served 13 years on the board of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches. Jim enjoyed singing with the Prairie Singers. He loved collecting petroleum memorabilia, farm implements, and anything made in Ottawa. He was a president of the Ottawa Little League Association and was instrumental in getting lights installed on the north side diamonds. Jim was a sponsor for a Christian music program on Sunday mornings on WCMY, the concert at Covel Creek, a concert by the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus, as well as the Boe Oilers softball and basketball teams.
His greatest love was serving the Lord in the Ottawa community by sharing his time and talents at Jim Boe Service, the business he owned for 56 years.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran Pre-School, or the Reddick Mansion Association.
Jim has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.