James “Jay” William Stewart
James “Jay” William Stewart Sr., 77, of Downs, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 4:54am at his home.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Peoria or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.
Jay was born on February 10, 1940 in Rosine, Kentucky, the son of William Porter and Delora (Leach) Stewart. He married Connie Rae Lanham on March 3, 1960 in Bloomington.
He is survived by his wife Connie Rae of Downs, his sons: James (Lesley) Stewart Jr. of LeRoy and Todd Michael Stewart of Downs, grandchildren: Todd (Paula) Stewart Jr and Cody (Bree) Stewart, great grandson: Conner Stewart and his sisters: Dora (Jerry) Babb of Heyworth, June (Earl) Carter of Peoria Heights and Linda Skidmore of Kappa.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters.
He retired from Stark Excavating in 2004 and was a member of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 18, Bloomington.
Jay loved the outdoors, fishing and raising exotic birds in their home. He enjoyed nature and feeding the wild birds that he would see in his back yard.
The family would like to thank Lana Stewart, Rose Killion and Mary Goveia for their support and helping hand in assisting Jay taking care of his wife at home.
Online condolences may be made to www.beckmemorial.com