James M. "Lema" LeMaster's Obituary
Decatur-James M. 'Lema' LeMaster, 65, of Decatur, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2013 with his family by his side.
Jim was born June 27, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois the son of James and Amber LeMaster. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois. He married Nanci Day July 3, 1991. The family, along with many friends, has lost a wonderful human being. His passions were outdoor activities from golfing, bicycling, walking, downhill skiing, watching sports on TV, and yard work. Jim loved cooking for family and friends. He lived to make others happy. His sense of humor and love of life will be greatly missed.
Coach Jim LeMaster began his teaching and coaching career (basketball and golf) at Eisenhower High School in 1969 until 1983. He was the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at Richland Community College until 1993. While at Richland Community College, he was the Student Activities Director along with Multicultural Enrichment Director. His love of sports was evident with his local pursuit of enhancing participation, and his involvement in the Illinois Prairie State Games as Central Illinois Coordinator. He retired in June 2002 from Richland Community College. After retirement Jim worked part-time at Coyote Golf Course, Bartonville, Illinois and coached basketball at Illini Bluffs Middle School, Glasford, Illinois. He and his wife loved to travel and some favorite places to visit were Breckenridge, Colorado and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. His life was interrupted, but while he was on this earth he embraced opportunities and the chance to experience life with open arms. His smile and charming ways can never be replaced. Jim was one of a kind.
Those who will miss Jim the most include his wife Nanci, daughters Jayme (Mark) Molinari of Plainfield and Lindsay (Steve) LeMaster-Owens of Decatur, stepdaughter Kimilee Day of Decatur, stepson Timothy (Linda) Day of Prague, Czech Republic, sister Judy (Wayne) Patchin of Moline, close friends Denny and Linda Harris, grandsons Caden Owens, Max Molinari, and Toby Day, granddaughters Aubrey Molinari, Hillary Owens, Ashley Molinari, Sophia Day, and Kylee Day, other family members include in-laws Richard and Lillian Maynard of Bidwell, Ohio, sisters-in-law Linda (Larry) Sturgill of Stout, Ohio, Chris (Russ) Cook of Martinbury, West Virginia, Mary (Ralph) Young of Gallipolis, Ohio, and Patty (Brian) Jones of Thurman Ohio, brothers-in-law Danny (Bernadette) Maynard of Belmont, Ohio, Greg (Marybelle) Maynard of Gallipolis, and Dwane Rees of Rio Grande, Ohio, ten nieces, eighteen nephews, and his Sigma Pi fraternity brothers at EIU.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial visitation to celebrate Jim's life will be from 3-6 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2013 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Burial will be at Swan Lake in Peoria. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's or ALS Associations.
The family of James M. LeMaster is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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