James Lowell Rich, 80, of Mattoon, formerly of Arcola and Arthur, died at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024 at OSF Heart of Mary Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024 at Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola, with Pastor John Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour to the funeral service from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Jim was born February 23, 1944 in Douglas County, the son of Theodore and Orlena Blevins Rich. He married Paula Jeanne Beuligmann on January 4, 1980 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Rich of Mattoon; two daughters, Dr. Cynthia (Nathan) Sapp of Columbus, Indiana; Debra (Francisco Ruiz Rosales) Ruiz-Rich of Arcola; nine grandchildren, Amara, Imriel, Odin, and Atticus Sapp; Blaze Rich, Ryder Wilcox-Rich, River Wilcox-Rich, Idery Ruiz-Rich, and Joaquin Ruiz-Rich.

He was preceded in death by one grandchild, Avery Sapp; six brothers, Keith, Rayburn, Harold, Philip, infant brothers, Teddy Joe and Danny Gene Rich; and two sisters, Margie Hurst and Millie East.

Jim was born into a farming family and learned the value of hard work from the time he could walk. Being the youngest of seven siblings, he was intently doted upon. During his childhood, he and his brothers were no strangers to mischief. He briefly attended Arthur High School, but ultimately remained home to take over the family farm after the death of his father. By 1980, he had met and married his wife, Paula. She would later tell her children the reason she married Jim was because he always made her laugh. During the retelling of a story, he would get so tickled he would never arrive at the punchline and have everyone laughing all the same. Jim's resilience, admirable work ethic, and determination will live on in his children and grandchildren.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking, and cycling with his wife and daughters, hunting and tinkering in the garage with his brother, Ray, and boating on Lake Decatur with his family. He farmed for over 40 years in the Arcola area. He took great pride in his trade, frequently boasting of having "the straightest rows" and "the cleanest fields". After retirement, he enjoyed traveling cross country in his motorhome with Paula, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. His love of farm mechanics was passed on to his grandson, Blaze, whom he spent countless hours in the shed rebuilding engines. He also loved to hear his grandson, Ryder, play ragtime on the piano.

Memorials are suggested to the Eastern IL Food Bank.

Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.hilligossshraderfh.com