James Edward Nelson, 67, of Atwood, IL, passed away at 8:34 p.m., Sunday, February 21, 2016 at the Presence Medical Center, Urbana, IL

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, 231 North Illinois Street, Atwood, IL, with Dr. Lanny Faulkner officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Mackville Cemetery, Atwood, IL. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

James was born on August 29, 1948 in Decatur, IL, the son of John W. and Mildred Doolen Nelson. He married Valarie Rich Whitaker on August 21, 2000 in Cadillac, Michigan. She survives.

Also surviving are his sons: Tim Nelson, Zachary Grau and Jamie Nelson, daughters: Angela Rambo and Melinda Griffith, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and a sister.

James formerly worked at Masterbrand Cabinet Factory in Arthur for over 30 years, retiring in 2000. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atwood. James received a bachelor's degree.

Memorials may be directed to the funeral home to pay for funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com