James E. Schilkoski Obituary (1934 - 2013)

James E. Schilkoski, 79, of Bloomington, passed away at 8:24 am, Sunday, September 29, 2013 at his home after a lengthy and courageous battle with colon cancer.His funeral will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, (10-2-13) at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday, (10-1-13) at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:15pm; and for one half hour prior to the service, Wednesday at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Catholic High School Athletic Department or to St. Jude, Midwest Affiliate in Peoria.Jim was born on May 29, 1934 in Bloomington. He was the son of Edward James and Josephine Callahan Schilkoski. He married Peggy Polser on December 27, 1958. She survives.Also surviving are four children, Kathy (fianc" Tom Jecklin) McIntosh of Bloomington, Jim (Patty) Schilkoski of OFallon, MO, Deb (Kevin) Connor of Bloomington and David (Alice) Schilkoski of Normal; a sister, Ann (Ron) Crump of Carlock; grandchildren, Doug (Shaina) Connor of Schaumburg, Brad Connor of Bloomington, Jimmy, Andy and Brittany Schilkoski of OFallon, MO, Adam McIntosh and Megan Schilkoski of Bloomington-Normal.He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Joan Marie.Jim graduated from Trinity High School in 1952 and worked at Eureka Williams Co. for 12 years. He owned and operated the Fondulac Club on Front St. in Bloomington from 1964 until 1974. Jim started selling real estate for the then Mayor Bob McGraw and continued his real estate career with Coldwell Banker for the next 37 years. For Jim, real estate was about the people and the lifelong friendships he made.He was awarded the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors in 2010. Coldwell Banker dedicated their lobby to Jim in 2011 for his outstanding years of service. Jim retired in May of 2012, turning his business over to his daughter, Deb Connor.Jim was a well known official of basketball and football. He worked numerous high school and college games. He loved officiating in the CCIW and Missouri Valley Conferences. He retired in 1982 and was inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Officials Association in 1991. His son David is following in his officiating footsteps.Jim was a lifelong ISU Redbird fan and was instrumental in the founding of the original Redbird Club.He was long involved with Heartland Community College and served on the Heartland Foundation Board of Directors for 10 years, retiring this past summer due to poor health.Jim was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, The Elks and Lakeside Country Club and was a past member of Bloomington Country Club.Family was always first in his life. His children and grandchildren were the highlight of his life and he never missed anything in which they were involved. Jim was an avid sports fan. He followed the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs, but Central Catholic, IWU and ISU were especially dear to him.He loved playing golf, traveling with his wife Peg and spending time in Fort Myers.Jim fought hard and completed his bucket list which included attending his grandson Dougs wedding, a trip to Vegas with his wife and four children and his grandson Brads varsity football game at St. Ambrose.The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Gomez of Illinois Cancer Care and the nurses of OSF Hospice for their loving care.Jim was a devoted husband to his wife Peg of 54 years, an amazing dad to his children and an even better "Papa" to his grandchildren. He will long be remembered for his million dollar smile.