James M. Laroe, 78, of Ivesdale, IL, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 201 Fifth Street, Ivesdale, IL, with Father Patrick Riordan as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Ivesdale, IL.

A rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the church with visitation following from 5 to 7 p.m.

Jim was born on June 9, 1938 in Ivesdale, IL, the son of Daniel A. and Helen F. Deany Laroe. He married his loving wife of 50 years, Jeanine C. Heidgerken on February 19, 1966 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Decatur, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are his daughters: Julie (Rodney) Long of Centralia and Janice (Curtis) Fogerson of Bement, son: John (Megan) Laroe of Champaign, grandchildren: Peyton and Jamie Long, Colleen, Braden and Evan Fogerson, sister: Margaret Lucy Laroe of Ivesdale and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Daniel R. Laroe, sister: Catherine A. Kohlmann, and his close cousin: Joe Coady of Twin Lakes, WI

Jim farmed in the Ivesdale area his entire life. He graduated from St. Bede Academy and always enjoyed attending class reunions. Jim was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a 50+ year member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Champaign County Farm Bureau.

Jim was a very passionate euchre player. He enjoyed bluegrass music and loved to go to Penn Station in Arthur on Wednesday nights. Jim enjoyed attending his grandchildren's ball games and school events. He liked to eat out and drink coffee with his many friends at Tom's Bowl in Bement.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Ivesdale EMT's.

Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Atwood, IL is entrusted with the arrangements.

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