BLOOMINGTON — James “Jim” Sauers, 65, Bloomington, formerly of Streator, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2013) at his home, peacefully while sleeping.
His funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Elias Funeral Home, Streator. The Rev. David Camp, his cousin, will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the rosary recited at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery with full military rites.
Pallbearers will be his brother, Bob Sauers; cousin, Rich Poldek; brother-in-law, Bob Howe; nephew, Paul Kovach; and friends, George Darm, Tom Stash, Zack Warwick and Eric Hjerpe. Honorary pallbearers will be his loving grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hjerpe, Brady Sember, Kaycee Hjerpe, Alexander Sauers, Keegan Sauers, Lukas Sauers, Jordan Sauers, Piper Joe Warwick, Jaykeb Stewart, Audrey Danner, Kelsey Danner and Cole Danner.
Jim was born Jan. 24, 1948, son of Elmer and Irene Poldek Sauers. He married Marilyn Howe on June 14, 1969, at St. Anthony Church, Streator. She survives.
Jim worked for the Streator post office for many years and served as postmaster for years before retiring. Previous to the post office, Jim worked at Owens.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. He graduated from Streator High School and St. Anthony School.
He is also survived by his three children, Jim (Jennifer Danner) Sauers, North Aurora; Melissa (Zack Warwick) Sauers, Normal; and Ryan (Gina Hodge) Sauers, Bloomington; two brothers, Jack (Aggie) Sauers and Bob (Becky) Sauers, both of Streator; three sisters, Shirley (the late Louis) Zion, Denton, Texas; June (Bob) Churney, Streator; and Diane (Andy) Kovach, Janesville, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; and 16 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Robert and Florence Howe.
Jim loved watching his Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini. He enjoyed a cold drink and a good laugh with his friends and was always up for a game of euchre.
More important to him than anything was the love he had for his family, particularly his loving grandchildren. His family always came first and he was never too shy to let his children and grandchildren know what they needed to do for the day, although he would say, “I am not telling you what to do.”
Though Jim isn’t physically with us anymore, the countless memories and endearing love for his family lives on in our hearts. He will be greatly missed forever and always by all who knew and loved him.
Sherry Mascal
December 21, 2013 12:00 amBLOOMINGTON — James “Jim” Sauers, 65, Bloomington, formerly of Streator, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2013) at his home, peacefully while sleeping.
His funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Elias Funeral Home, Streator. The Rev. David Camp, his cousin, will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the rosary recited at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery with full military rites.
Pallbearers will be his brother, Bob Sauers; cousin, Rich Poldek; brother-in-law, Bob Howe; nephew, Paul Kovach; and friends, George Darm, Tom Stash, Zack Warwick and Eric Hjerpe. Honorary pallbearers will be his loving grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hjerpe, Brady Sember, Kaycee Hjerpe, Alexander Sauers, Keegan Sauers, Lukas Sauers, Jordan Sauers, Piper Joe Warwick, Jaykeb Stewart, Audrey Danner, Kelsey Danner and Cole Danner.
Jim was born Jan. 24, 1948, son of Elmer and Irene Poldek Sauers. He married Marilyn Howe on June 14, 1969, at St. Anthony Church, Streator. She survives.
Jim worked for the Streator post office for many years and served as postmaster for years before retiring. Previous to the post office, Jim worked at Owens.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. He graduated from Streator High School and St. Anthony School.
He is also survived by his three children, Jim (Jennifer Danner) Sauers, North Aurora; Melissa (Zack Warwick) Sauers, Normal; and Ryan (Gina Hodge) Sauers, Bloomington; two brothers, Jack (Aggie) Sauers and Bob (Becky) Sauers, both of Streator; three sisters, Shirley (the late Louis) Zion, Denton, Texas; June (Bob) Churney, Streator; and Diane (Andy) Kovach, Janesville, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; and 16 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Robert and Florence Howe.
Jim loved watching his Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini. He enjoyed a cold drink and a good laugh with his friends and was always up for a game of euchre.
More important to him than anything was the love he had for his family, particularly his loving grandchildren. His family always came first and he was never too shy to let his children and grandchildren know what they needed to do for the day, although he would say, “I am not telling you what to do.”
Though Jim isn’t physically with us anymore, the countless memories and endearing love for his family lives on in our hearts. He will be greatly missed forever and always by all who knew and loved him.