James Brooks, son of Burnie and Lillie Specht Brooks, was
born April 16, 1923 in Bible Grove Township, Clay County, IL and
departed this life on January 2, 1996 at St. Anthony Hospital,
Effingham, IL at the age of 72 years, 8 months and 27 days.
On June 14, 1951 he was united in marriage to Betty Lou Von Tungeln
in Golconda, IL. To this union four children were born.
Mr. Brooks was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a
degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. He was the assistant
Home Administration Advisor in Clay County and the Assistant Farm
Advisor in Marion County and the Farm Advisor in Jasper County
for several years. He served in WWII in the Phillipines for 8
months. Mr. Brooks was a livestock and grain farmer, member of
the Clay County Farm Bureau Board, American Hereford Association,
Illinois Oil and Gas Association, past member of the Clay County
Fair Board, and a member of the Louisville United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law; and
one brother, Jeff Brooks.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Betty; two daughters,
Judy Porter and husband Steve of Louisville and Janet Probst and
husband Larry of Dietrich, IL; two sons, Tom and his wife, Janice
of Louisville and Joe Brooks and wife Regina of Clay City, IL;
one sister, Elizabeth Pontious and husband Myron of St. Peter,
IL; grandchildren, Amy Walker and husband Jeff, Mandy, Larissa,
Sarah, Nick, Jeanna, Tony, and Matthew; one step-grandchild, Ashley;
his mother-in-law, Rachel Von Tungeln of Golconda; one brother-in-law,
George Von Tungeln and wife Marilyn of El Paso, TX; twelve nieces
and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services at Neal Funeral Home in Louisville, IL. Burial
was in Bible Grove Cemetery with military rites provided by the
Louisville American Legion.