Obituaries: Dalton

Posted on December 10, 2017

James “Jim” E. Dalton

James “Jim” E. Dalton, 71, of Normal, IL formerly of Pontiac, IL passed away at his home on December 7, 2017.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at South Side Cemetery in Pontiac, IL where military rites will be accorded. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Society of McLean County, 2404 E. Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61704 or Illinois School for the Deaf, 125 S. Webster Avenue, Jacksonville, IL 62650.

Jim was born October 2, 1946 in Pontiac, IL a son of Dean E. and Mary F. (Kennedy) Dalton. He married JoAnn Smith in August of 1979 at First United Methodist Church in Pontiac.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years: JoAnn of Normal, IL; their children: Shari (Larry) Mccollam of Heyworth, IL, Janet (Jim) Dunning of Pontiac, IL, Nancy Churchey of Normal, IL, George “Kevin” Smith of Bloomington, IL, James E. Dalton II of Normal, IL; their grandchildren: Christopher (Stacy) Glynn, Nicole and Sidney Dunning, Samantha, Alyssa, and Jenna Churchey, and JJ and Noah Dalton; their great grandchildren: Makayla Glynn and Cashten Morger; one sister: Marcy (Wayne) Carstens of Flanagan, IL; and his beloved pets: Maggi and Rosalie. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: twin brother Joseph and Roger Dalton.

Jim graduated from Lexington High School in 1964. He then served his country enlisting in the United States Navy from 1966 -1970 during the Vietnam War, stationed at three different ships, near the Vietnam waters.

Upon returning home, he joined the Union Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 99 in Bloomington for 45 years. He was a former member of the Pontiac VFW and the Pontiac American Legion before moving to Bloomington-Normal and transferring membership to the VFW Post 454 in Bloomington where he was a lifetime member.

Jim and Joe were inseparable doing everything together, hunting, fishing, bowling-several 300 games, and watching sports whenever they could. Particularly, the Chicago Bears and White Sox.

Above all else, Jim was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…