James F. Fish, 77, of Fulton, IL, died Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at MercyOne in Clinton, IA.
Jim was born November 30, 1942, in Sandwich, IL, to Wilton J. and Susan E. (Smith) Fish. He was educated in the Sandwich Grade Schools and was a 1960 graduate of Sandwich High School. He attended Aurora University in Aurora, IL, and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Jim served in the U. S. Navy from 1964 to 1970 in the Nuclear Submarine Service. He married Judith L. Legner on July 3, 1964, in Sandwich. Jim was first employed by CTS Knights in Sandwich and later was employed at the Exelon Quad Cities Nuclear Power Generating Station in Cordova, IL, until retiring in 1999. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Clinton and former member and Elder of Fulton Presbyterian Church in Fulton. He coached Fulton Recreation Corporation baseball for 15 years, girl’s softball for one year, and Fulton High School baseball for four years. Jim also served on the Community Unit #2 School Board for one term. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapshooting, watching all sports, and attending grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. Jim enjoyed spending summers in Michigan with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Judy; daughters, Amy (Kevin) Jacobs of Fulton and Susan (Matt) Kirst of Eldridge, IA; sons, Eric (Lora) Fish of Morrison, IL, and Grady Kirst; Ethan Fish, Elizabeth Fish; Rachel (Bobby) Niebuhr, Nathan Fish, and Nicholas Fish; great-grandchildren, Brayton and Coen Niebuhr; a sister-in-law; many nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; a loyal companion, Doc, his Labrador Retriever.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wallace and Sandra Wilson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Armand and Lucille Legner.
His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019, at First United Presbyterian Church in Clinton, IA, with Rev. Kolleen Klemmedson officiating.
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2019, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Interment will be at Fulton Township Cemetery in Fulton, IL.
Memorials have been established to the American Heart Association and Whiteside County Honor Flight.