James William Garren, 97, of rural Springfield, Illinois passed peacefully on to his heavenly home on Friday, May 10, 2024 at The Villas Total Rehab facility in Sherman, Illinois.

Jim, as he was affectionately known, was born on December 7, 1926 at home in Mechanicsburg, Sangamon County, Illinois the son of Andy Allen and Grace Emily Powers Garren.  He married the “love of his life” Alice June (Patton) Hawk on January 20, 1951 in Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas and they cherished their 71 years together.  They are certain to be joyfully reunited in heaven now!

Jim honestly, faithfully, and honorably served his country in the US Army during WWII from 03/19/1945 – 11/24/1946, earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.  He was proud of his service and was a true Patriot.  After his return from the war, he worked as a machinist and fabricator for Drake Scruggs Equipment Company in Springfield, for many, many years alongside his older brother, Charles – also known as Tink or Tinker.  It was from this company they both retired – twice.

He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, fishing, seining for crawdads, camping, hunting, playing poker, building characters out of metal, making birdhouses, and feeding / watching the birds, squirrels and later feral cats and kittens in his yard.  Most of all, he loved to laugh and to make everyone around him smile.  No man could be considered kinder or gentler than Jim.  He will be missed beyond measure.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, June, on September 6, 2022, his parents, four siblings (Donald Eugene, infant Evelyn Louise, Kenneth Wesley and Treva June), his step-daughter, Connie Jeanne Hawk, several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his canine “children”:  Sonny, Snoopy, Missy, Red, Betsy and Buffy.

Jim is survived by:  one brother, Charles Garren of Mechanicsburg, brother-in-law Wade Patton (wife Teresa) of Dawson, Illinois, sister-in-law, Judy Patton of Rochester, Illinois, two step-daughters, Dr. Patricia Anne Hawk Schechter (husband Dr. Robert Jay Schechter) of Atascadero, California, and Linda Sue Hawk (husband Dwight) Ridgely of Decatur, Illinois, four step-grandchildren, Aaron (wife Carrie) Schechter, David (wife Cynthia) Schechter, Joseph (wife Briana) Schechter and Naomi Schechter (husband Chance) Waak, ten step-great-grandchildren (Isaac, Eva, Judah, Liam, Abigail, Evan and Amelia Schechter, Wyatt, Drake and Nolan Waak), and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and their descendants.

Per Jim’s wishes, there will be no services.  Cremation will be accorded and interment with his wife will be at a later date in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Illinois.  Please make any memorial contributions to:  Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL 62702 or Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703.

Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Church St., Mechanicsburg, IL is in charge of arrangements.

Devoted nieces, Sandra Garren Rowden and Melanie Patton McDaniel, would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff-members of The Villas, Home Instead and Elara Hospice.  Your kind and compassionate assistance and care of our dear uncle was very much appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James William Garren, please visit our floral store.