James L. “Jim” Painter, 86, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.  He was born June 13, 1934 in Lancaster, Illinois, the son of Lester and Helen (Jeffords) Painter.  He married Eleanor Shurtz on November 6, 1954 and together they enjoyed sixty-five years of marriage before her passing on December 13, 2019.   Jim faithfully served his country in the United States Army.  He was employed for forty-one years at GTE Corporation as a cable splicer.  In his younger years, he would often be seen coaching local baseball teams.  During his spare time, Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Jim loved his family, and his Church family at Parkview Christian Church where he was a long-time member.   Jim will be dearly missed by all who knew him.  Jim will be lovingly remembered by his son, James Todd Painter and wife Penny of Nashville, TN; daughter, Rebecca Lynne Sparks and husband Tony of Sesser, IL; four grandchildren, Patricia Leigh Phillips, James Kyle Painter, Daphne Marie Haggard and Amanda Nicole Haggard; great-grandchildren, Madison Grace Phillips, Katelynn Hope Phillips, Bailey Rose Lewis, Addison Brooke Suter, Emma Grace Suter, James Jonathon Phillips, Nixon Kikue Painter and Elliott Saburd Painter; and many loved nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Gary and Bob Painter. Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.  Social distancing practices will be in place.  Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Minister Bryan Heinrich officiating.   A private family burial with full military honors will take place Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, Illinois where Jim will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Eleanor.    Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to Parkview Caring Closet.  Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863. Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements.  To view Jim’s  tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave a note of condolences for the Painter family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com

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