James H. Gregory, 79, of Atwood, IL, passed away at 3:10 a.m., Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Decatur Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.

Graveside Services with Military Rites will be held at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at the Mackville Cemetery, Atwood, IL, with the Rev. Lanny Faulkner officiating. No Visitation will be held. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL is handling the arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Atwood Building Fund.

James was born on December 14, 1929, the son of William Earl and Bessie Buchanan Gregory. He lived in the Atwood community his entire life. He was a member of the Nazarene Church of Tuscola, Illinois. He graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1949. His classmates were known as the "Forty-Niners" and were a close-knit group that socialized monthly. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a member of the James Reeder American Legion Post #770 of Atwood. He married Doris M. Moody on December 26, 1951 in Hammond, Illinois. She survives.

James was engaged in farming his whole life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and carpentry. In his retirement years he built bird houses, enjoyed feeding the birds, socializing with his friends at the coffee shop and spending time with his family, especially his grandsons.

Surviving are his wife, Doris; Daughters: Susan (Ronnie) Cole of Arcola, Illinois; Dianna (Brian) Reinhart of Atwood; Brother: Ronald (Peggy) Gregory of Atwood, Illinois, Grandsons: Dennis (Melissa) Cole of Mattoon, Illinois, David Cole of Arcola, Illinois, Matthew Reinhart of Atwood, Illinois

He was preceded in death by his Parents and one Brother: Siler Gregory.

He was a loving Husband, Father and Grandfather and will be greatly missed.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to hilligossshraderfh.com