James Edward Huffman, 62, of Urbana, formerly of Arcola and Arthur, died December 16, 2016 from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola. Burial will follow at the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 am on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Jim was born September 27, 1954 in Mattoon, the son of Lorn and Eunice Meyers Huffman.

Survivors include his sister, Audrey Hutchcraft and husband Chuck of Mundelein; niece, Sarah Vachenko and husband Denis of Buffalo Grove; aunt, Ann Huffman of Arthur; uncle and aunt, Lyman and Lorna Meyers of Arthur; and a host of cousins with whom he enjoyed many family celebrations and good home cooking. He was preceded in death by his parents; Lorn and Eunice Huffman; grandparents, Roy and Viola Huffman; and Lyman and Rowena Meyers.

Jim attended Arcola and Arthur elementary schools, Arthur High School, and Eastern Illinois University.

He worked many years as a custodian at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

From a young age, Jim loved to tinker. He drove his parents crazy taking things apart and attempting to reassemble them. As an adult, he confidently fixed things, including his furnace and vehicles. He was not afraid to use duct tape.

Jim ate all of his meals out and over the years his favorite restaurants changed only slightly. These included the local Bob Evans, Perkins, Cracker Barrel and Bakers Square. On these outings he would chitchat as long as he was able with the wait staff and cashier.

As a child, Jim was in an automobile accident which left him with noticeable facial scars. He became more and more self conscious in public as the years went by, and as an adult, Jim suffered from major depression. He does not need to suffer any more.

Memorials are suggested to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (NAMI.org)

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