James E. “Jim” Knearem

James E. “Jim” Knearem
(May 14, 1960 – August 10, 2021)

James Eugene “Jim” Knearem , 61, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 in his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 27, 2021 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.  Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021 in the funeral home. Casual attire is requested.  Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Shelbyville JFL or the Windsor Gun Club.

Jim was born on May 14, 1960 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of John Dale and Janet Faye (Mathias) Knearem.  He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1979.  Jim was a mechanic for Shasteen’s Phillips 66 Station and Dave Raetz both in Shelbyville.  In 1988, he began working at Continental Bondware in Shelbyville and was currently a press operator for Graphic Packaging in Shelbyville.  Jim was a member of the Shelbyville Moose Lodge and Windsor Gun Club and served as JFL commissioner from 1993-1997.  He enjoyed working on cars and woodworking.  Jim married Kathy Jean Lape on January 30, 1981.  His greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Brock Knearem and Blake (Ashlee) Knearem all of Shelbyville; daughter, Katherine Knearem of Shelbyville; brothers and sisters, John (Tracy) Knearem of Shelbyville, Julie (Mike) Kneller of Shelbyville, Jodie Knearem of Shelbyville, Jess (Tracy) Mount of Indianapolis, IN, Jerry (Jessica) Knearem of Shelbyville, Marlow (Charlie) Stephens of Shelbyville and Robert (Shelly) Mount of Shelbyville; mother-in-law, Jean Lape of Shelbyville, IL; brothers- in-law, Steve Lape (Cindy) of Oak Ridge, TN, and Brad Lape of Shelbyville; sister-in-law, Susan Miller (Tom) of Shelbyville, IL and three grandchildren, Breyden and Delia Knearem, and Rylan Knight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Dale Knearem, Janet Faye Knearem Mount and J.D. Mount; father-in-law, Robert Lape; niece, Brooke Knearem Coleman; and brother-in-law, Rodney Stephens.