James N. Verheyen, Sr.

James Nelson Verheyen, Sr., 94 passed away peacefully at 2:50 pm on April 3, 2021.  He was born November 25, 1926 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late William and Liddie (Lamison) Verheyen. Jim was united in holy matrimony to June (Cummins) Verheyen on April 8, 1947 at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Pittsburgh, PA, and they were happily married for 74 years.  She survives.  They moved to Galesburg in the early 1960s.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, 7 siblings, one daughter, Janet Verheyen Adams, and one grandson, Nelson Grant Verheyen.In addition to his wife June, he is survived by 3 children, Julie (Kraig) McCluskie of Abingdon, Julie (Dennis) Peterson of Knoxville, and Jim (Melanie) Verheyen, Jr. of Galesburg; grandchildren, Ryan (Kaitlyn) Schulz of Columbia, MO, Hannah (Nathaniel) Marshall of Bushnell, Alex and Tommy McCluskie of Abingdon, Gerry (Randy) Tinkham of Monmouth, Larry (Amber) Morrison of Florida, Christopher Peterson of Knoxville, and Jim (Kelly) Verheyen Currie III of Chicago; 8 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren, and his special dog Boo.  In 1943, at the age of 17, Jim enlisted in the United States Army to serve during WWII.  He was assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division.  During his service in the South Pacific, he was honored with 17 decorations and awards, and was the chief clerk for General Douglas McArthur.  Jim served more than 30 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve.  He worked for the Rock Island Arsenal for 5 years, owned and operated the Shell gas station at the corner of Main and Henderson St. in Galesburg, and later worked at Gale Products.  After retirement, he kept himself busy and worked part-time at Walmart.  Jim was very active in the local VFW, serving as Commander for several years.  He was instrumental in establishing the Admiral Stockdale Museum at the Galesburg VFW.  Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.  Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, masks and social distancing will be required.  The rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.  The Funeral Mass for Jim will immediately follow the rosary at church. Father James Pallardy will officiate.  Burial with military rites conducted by the Knox Co. VFW/AMVETS/American Legion will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made the VFW Post #2257 or Corpus Christi Catholic Church.