James "Jim" Milton Clapper of Tuscola, passed away at 10:55 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2014 at his home surrounded by family and close friends.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, Illinois with the Rev. Kenneth Roedder presiding. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial with military rites accorded will be held at the Tuscola Township Cemetery.

Jim was born July 16, 1935, the son of William S. and Ruth E. (Debolt) Clapper. He married Marcia Ann Cole on September 8, 1957 in Sidney, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are his sons Curt (Kathryn) Clapper of Tuscola, Michael (Gina) Clapper of Sadorus, grandsons Cole Clapper of Edwardsville, Mitch Clapper of Camargo, Ian Clapper and Gavin Clapper both of Sadorus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister: Carol Wegehenkel

Jim graduated from Tuscola High School in 1952 and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois in 1956 earning a degree in animal science. It was at the U of I where Jim formed life-long friendships with his fraternity brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho. The fraternity brothers and wives still look forward to a yearly get together of friendship and laughter. Upon graduating from the U of I, Jim served in the Army and was stationed in Washington State then discharged in 1962. Jim spent his entire life farming and was proud to pass the farm on to his sons.

Jim's passion for fishing never waned as he fulfilled a final wish of having his entire family together last month at his favorite spot in Minnesota. He was an avid Illini Sports fan.

Jim served as secretary of Ivesdale Cooperative Grain Elevator then later Grand Prairie Cooperative from 1969 - 1990 and commissioner of the Okaw Drainage District for 21 years.

Jim fought a hard battle with leukemia for 12 years and deeply appreciated all those who cared for him along the journey. A special thanks is extended to Dr. Sohail A. Chaudhry and his nurse Colleen Nolan at Christie Clinic, all the wonderful caring nurses at Presence Covenant, and Dr. Richard A. Larson at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 9031, Pittsfield MA 01201, your gift of blood at a local blood bank or to the donor's choice.

Online condolences to the family may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com.