Jim Karr, 82, Symerton

By Editor | June 20, 2011 |

Jim Karr, 82, of Symerton, passed away on Thursday evening June 16, 2011, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee with his family at his side.

Visitation and a video tribute will be held on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Road in Wilmington, with a Masonic service conducted at 7 p.m. A family interment with full military honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim's memory to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association. Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.FRBFuneral.com. Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington was in charge of arrangements.

Born on Aug. 31, 1928, in Fonda, Iowa, Jim was a son of the late Robert and Effie Kelly-Karr. He grew up in Vandalia and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1945-47. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim returned to Vandalia, where he met and married Evelyn Meyer on Jan. 5, 1951. Jim owned Karr Concrete Construction from 1973 until his retirement in 2006 and also established Karr's Korner Hall in Symerton, in which he operated from 1991-2002. Jim was a member of the Wilmington Masons A.F. & A.M. Lodge #208, Joliet Commandery #4, Order of Eastern Star Darkest Chapter #5 of Manteno, Bloomington Consistory andManhattan American Legion. Jim had a dedicated work ethic and truly loved building. He can also be remembered for his love of dancing.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; sons, Michael (Debbie) Distefano, and Greg (Cheryl) Karr; daughters, Carol (Perfecto) Mendietta, Paulette (Frank) Gates and Trish Karr; grandchildren, Tony (Heather) Distefano, Marc Distefano, Gina (Dustin) Conger, Alisia (Marty) Mikulenka, Frank (Corina) Gates and P.J. Mendietta; six great grandchildren; five sisters and two brothers-in-law; one brother and sister-in-law; his step mother, of Joliet; three half brothers; two half sisters; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law from Vandalia; and numerous nieces and nephews.