James D. Shea

James D. Shea, age 76, of 1228 W. Losey St. Galesburg, Il died on Thursday March 23, 2006 at 3:12 p.m. at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. He was born on October 14, 1929 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of Leslie J. and Ann Cavanaugh Shea. He married Patricia Ryan on September 18, 1954 in Galesburg, Illinois. She survives. Also surviving are 2 sons: Steven of Milwaukee, WI and Tim of Champaign, IL. 2 daughters: Susan (Jeff) Sullivan of Cave Creek, AZ and Shari Shea of Galesburg. 1 Brother: Gene (Rosemary) Shea of Joliet, IL and 1 sister: Roseann Shea of Galesburg. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren. Jim graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1947. He was in the US Army from 1951-1953. He was a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Galesburg for 39 years, retiring in 1990. After retiring he drove a school bus for several years. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch #88, which was renamed in his honor to the James D. Shea National Association of Letter Carriers Branch #88 on Labor Day, 2004. He was a 4th degree member of the Fr. J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus council 556. He was secretary/treasurer for the Columbian Home for 40 years. He was a member of Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285, Galesburg. He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church where he was past president of the parish council and had been an usher for over 30 years. He had been active in cursillo. He was a die-hard fan of Galesburg high School boys/girls basketball, Corpus Christi and Costa Friars basketball. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday March 28 at Corpus Christi Church with the Rev. Ernest Pizzamiglio and Rev. Deus-Dedit Byabato officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday at Watson Funeral Home from 6:30-9 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Memorials may be made to the ALS Foundation or to GHS Girls Basketball.