James W. Arrington Jr.

James W. Arrington Jr., 84 of Lincoln, IL, formerly of Streator, IL was called home to our Lord, Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 8:34 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 5-8 PM at Winterrowd Funeral Home, Streator, IL and Friday, December 29, 2023 from 10 - 11 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Streator, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM at the church with Pastors John Gutz and Joel Brassfield officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Streator, IL with full military honors conducted by members of the Streator American Legion Post 217 and Streator VFW Post 1492. 

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, nieces Jessica Schaal and Susan Sherod, and nephews Jon, Joel, Jody, Joshua, and David Brassfield.

Jim was born on November 2, 1939, in Waynesboro, GA to James W. and Emma (Atz) Arrington Sr.  He married Eunice Brassfield on December 26, 1964.  She survives.

Also surviving are daughters Shawn Marie (Bob) Cox of Lincoln and Jamie (Tom) Wisely of Chillicothe, sons, Troy (Laura) Arrington of Trussville, AL, and Scott (Robin) Arrington of O’Fallon, MO, grandchildren, Trevor Arrington, Karli, Alysa and Gabrielle Cox, Austin and Jared Wisely, Emily, Jordan, Carys and Evan Arrington, Tim (Brittney), Kelsy, Donavan and Samuel Arrington, great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Colson Alderson, Bodhi and Amelia Arrington. Also surviving are his in-laws Marilyn and Bill Sherod, Jackie Brassfield, and Betty Brassfield as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donovan Arrington, as well as two brothers-in-law Eugene Brassfield and Rev. James Brassfield.

Jim graduated from Warren Community High School in Warren, IL in 1957 and attended the University of Dubuque, Iowa. A proud Marine, he served his country from 1959 until 1962, receiving his honorable discharge in 1965. Jim worked in Streator at the Union Bank and St. Mary’s Hospital as the business administrator. Jim then worked at The Illinois Veterans Home-LaSalle, as Administrator, retiring in 2007. Jim was active in Streator Youth softball and soccer programs, past-president of Streator Unlimited, Engle Lane Theater, the Chorallaries, Boot Kickers, and a member of the American Legion in Streator, IL. He was a faithful and active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and served on many committees until they moved to the warmer climate of Arcadia, FL in 2018 where he attended and was active at Grace Lutheran Church. Jim loved the salt life. He and Eunice were active outdoors and could be often found kayaking, at a flea market, or out to dinner with friends old and new. As health issues started to arise the choice to move closer to family became apparent and they moved to Lincoln, IL in August of 2022. While living in Lincoln he enjoyed going to men’s coffee on Tuesdays at the Christian Village and attending several Veterans program. He and Eunice recently transferred their church membership to Faith Lutheran Church Lincoln, IL. Jim’s favorite past times where sitting outside bird watching or watching his beloved Cubs or Bears. Fun fact, Jim hoped to see a World Series win for the Cubs, which happened on his birthday November 2, 2016. Jim’s greatest pride and joy in his life were his wife, children, and grandchildren and loved every minute he spent with them.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorials be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, American Heart Association or Marine Corp League Det. 1336.