James J. "Jim" Donze Obituary (1941 - 2024)

James “Jim” Donze, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning February 7, 2024, at Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac. Jim’s funeral and visitation will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, 903 W Custer Ave., Pontiac, IL. His visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the funeral home. His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Don Leonard officiating. Burial will be at Rooks Creek Cemetery, Graymont, IL following the funeral service. After the burial, there will be a luncheon for all at the Cornell Fire Station. Jim was born on October 15, 1941, in Pontiac, Illinois, to Peter and Josephine (Bally) Donze. He grew up in Cornell, Illinois, where he attended Lily Country School, and then Cornell Grade and High Schools. It was during those formative years that he met his high school sweetheart, Gale Helen Biehl. They married on April 16, 1961, in Cissna Park, Illinois, and their love story continued for over six decades. Jim was proud of his family, a caretaker and devoted husband to his wife, Gale, who survives and to his children, all who survive him: Scott Donze of Streator, IL, Kathy (Jim) Grusy of Middlebury, IN, and Mary Jo Airo of Fruitport, MI. Also surviving him are his grandchildren: Brittany (Todd) Jurek, Jaclyn Grusy, Alan (Katie) Grusy, Kristen (Josh) Davis, Michael (Ashley Lewis) Donze, Abbey and Tori Airo. Also surviving Jim are his very special great-grandchildren: Katelyn and Emma Jurek, Liam Grusy, Shelby, Everett, Landyn, and Joannah Davis, Caleb and Andrew Donze, Madison Lewis, and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Josephine Donze; sisters, Josie Donze, Roberta Peterson, Lenora Hansen, Jean Moritz, Dorothy Bradley; brothers, Donald and Dean Donze. Jim’s passion for farming led him to a fulfilling career as a grain and cattle farmer. He loved animals, especially cattle, horses, and dogs. Spring and fall were his top priorities for planting and harvesting. Then there were his animals, his cow calf herd, feeder calves from South Dakota, 4-H steers, horses, goats, hogs, cats, dogs and even a donkey. He not only raised Prime Beef but was a licensed cattle broker and hauled cattle for other farmers. Jim loved all of his dogs especially Orville. He and Orville shared a special bond. Jim was a cowboy at heart, loved big open cattle country and would have loved to own a ranch out West. Throughout his life, Jim was deeply committed to his community. It all started in 1947, when he moved to Cornell from rural Graymont. In 1961, when he married Gale, they moved to a farm 5 miles west of Cornell where they raised their family. Then, in 1996, they moved to Jim’s dad’s farm where Gale currently resides. Jim loved working cattle, even rounding them up every morning on his horse, Sam. He worked at many Sale Barns including Pontiac Livestock, Ottawa, Bloomington Livestock, Fairview, and Reel Livestock Center in Congerville. He served in the Army National Guard after high school and remained active in the Reserves. He was a lifetime member of the AmVets. For 44 years, Jim served as a Trustee of Amity Township, with the last 28 years as a dedicated Township Supervisor. While in those roles he was responsible for the building of a new township building, purchasing 100 folding chairs for Amity Township Legion Building, and many new amenities for the town of Cornell. He was a charter member of the Lions Club. He and Gale organized the Lions Club Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner for over three decades. Together, they founded the Cornell Amity Township Museum, preserving local history and memories. Jim loved history and was a member of the Livingston County Historical Society. Jim, Gale and their son, Scott, revived the Cornell bar transforming it into Adventures Bar & Grill. Jim was a member of the Farm Bureau and the Cornell United Methodist Church. Jim enjoyed bowling, playing softball, and traveling. He would never admit to liking to travel but he loved and travelled to Hot Springs, Arkansas and Branson, Missouri annually. He and his family were also members of the Washee Riders Club and frequently took their horses on trail rides, sleeping in the horse trailer. Jim and Gale took every one of their grandchildren, individually, several times on vacation with them, sometimes Arkansas and other places like Alaska and Montana. He and Gale also enjoyed 3 trips out of the country: 2 to New Zealand and 1 to Switzerland which included a few days in Hofheim Germany. Jim’s grandparents and one uncle were born in Switzerland. Last but not least, Jim dearly loved his grandchildren and showing them the ropes around the farm. The Donze family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support during this difficult time. We would especially like to thank the dedicated, caring staff at Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac and OSF Hospice. May Jim rest in peace, surrounded by the memories he created and the love he shared with all who knew him. Memorial donations may be made to the Cornell United Methodist Church or Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac.