James Charles “Jim” Mustered, 85, of Ottawa passed away peacefully Friday, October 5, 2018 at Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Springstead, WI.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, October 11 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with prayers at 3:45. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.
Jim was born December 13, 1932 in Ottawa to Howard Dale and Anna (Garland) Mustered. He served as a PFC in the United States Army during the Korean War. When he returned home, he married the love of his life, Frances Yarusinsky. He began working at Libby Owens Ford. Over the years he worked as a real estate agent and appraiser. He served as a Chairman of the LaSalle County Financial Board, on the board at Financial Plus Credit Union, and the Board of Review for LaSalle County. He was a member of the Ottawa Rescue Squad, the VFW, and the Knights of Columbus.
Jim loved to spend time at his family’s cabin on Round Lake in Minnesota. He was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors, and gardening and shared that passion with his children and grandchildren. When he wasn’t on the water or in the woods, he was at a game rooting on, not only his grandkids, but also their teammates to “Get ‘er done!”
Jim and his wife, Fran, loved to travel together. After they retired, they were able to visit the countries of their heritage-Ireland and the Czech Republic. The void that her passing left impacted him greatly.
Jim’s Catholic faith was very important to him. If you stopped by to visit, he was usually praying his rosary. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa.
He is survived by his children, Dale (Maryann) Mustered, Michael (Pam) Mustered, Mary Wiesbrock, and Paul (Sarah) Mustered, all of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Jamie (Joey) McNinch, Molly (Casey) Baker, Jimmy Mustered, Sarah (Vince) Evola, Leah (Brian) Hodgson, Lily Anne Mustered, and Johnathon Alexander Mustered; and eight great-grandchildren, Andrew, Evan, Olivia, Adam, Grant, Creighton, Shiloh, and Summer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Fran; and four siblings, Junior, Pete, and John Mustered, and Sandy Adams.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Mustered, Andrew and Evan Evola, Jacob Serby, Robert Adams, and Adam Clark.
Honorary pallbearer will be Johnathon Mustered.
Jim’s most recent passion was the I & M Canal Rewatering Project. Donations can be made in his honor to the Ottawa Canal Association, PO Box 2194, Ottawa, IL 61350.
Jim has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.