James "Jim" C. Wells

James “Jim” Charles Wells, 75, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 5:25 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, IL.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Mark Sanders officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the Shelby County Honor Guard at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Shelby Christian Church or Wounded Warrior Project.

Jim was born on January 30, 1951, in Evansville, IN, to Ocus Lee and Pauline (Hardison) Wells. He graduated from Findlay High School with the Class of 1969. Jim proudly served our country in the United States Army. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served overseas in Indo China from 1971-1972 and later achieved the rank of Specialist 4. During his honorable service, he earned the Vietnam Service Medal and The Expert Badge for Hand Grenade. After being stationed at Ft. Eustis and Ft. Story, Virginia, he was honorably discharged in 1973. Jim was employed at Firestone Tire in Decatur for 33 years until his retirement. Since Jim’s retirement, he stayed active by picking up odd jobs, playing golf, and doing burnouts.

He will be remembered above all as a proud American who had a deep, unyielding love for his family, The Chicago Cubs, and President Trump. Jim cherished every moment spent with his family, especially holding the babies. He was a member of Shelby Christian Church in Shelbyville, IL.

He leaves behind his loving best friend and wife of 43 years, Rebecca “Becky” Wells of Shelbyville, IL; children, Quanett (Fred) Goff of Richmond, VA; Josh (Antoinette) Wells of Belleville, IL, and Brock (Tiffany) Hancock of Shelbyville, IL; grandchildren, Jagger (Will) Mayo, Jewell Goff, Brody Hancock, Prior Wells, Tailyn Hancock, and Parker Wells; Prior and Parker’s mother, Merinda Passmore of Belleville, IL: siblings, Pam (Phil) Catona of Shelbyville, IL, Loretta (Brad) Agney of Shelbyville, IL, Barb (Donavan) Hocking of Shelbyville, IL, Christy (Brent) Macklin of Findlay, IL, and John (Joy) Wells of Shelbyville, IL, sisters-in-law, Janet Wells of Shelbyville, IL and Cheryl Wells of Mattoon, IL; brother-in-law, Steve Ulmer of Strasburg, IL; 22 nieces and nephews; and many golfing friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Larry Wells, Raben Wells, Betty Markle, Becky Ulmer, Paula (Roger) Hubner, Jerry Wells, and Eddie Wells; and his parents-in-law, Don and Joanne Shasteen.