James F. Reimer

James Francis “Jim” Reimer, 89, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 11:06 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Shelbyville, IL, with Father Pawel Augustyniak as celebrant. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Saturday in the church. Graveside services with military rites be at noon on Saturday in Arcola Township Cemetery, Arcola, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

Jim was born on January 11, 1937, in Arcola, IL, the son of James P. And Elizabeth “Ruth” (Barnes) Reimer. He attended high school in Arcola and Kansas, Illinois, graduating from Eastern State High School in the Class of 1955. Jim served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1953-1963 and attended Eastern Illinois University. He married Judith L. Swanson on December 28, 1957, and they were married for 68 years. Jim began farming with his father and then owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Shelbyville. Jim was an entrepreneur working in several industries, including Livingston Car Washes, Universal Trailer Sales, S. F. Kennedy Industries, Frutas Tropicales in Costa Rica, and developed two subdivisions, Garden Acres and Reimer’s Manufactured Homes both in Shelbyville. Jim was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Roy Vanderpool American Legion Post #81, both in Shelbyville and a life member of the Knights of Columbus in Charleston.

Jim is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Deborah A. Furr and husband Mike of Shelbyville, IL; sons, James Douglas “Doug” Reimer and wife Kari of Chesterfield, MO, Dennis Michael Reimer and wife Theresa of Mt. Juliet, TN, Donald Patrick Reimer and wife Corrin of Shelbyville, IL, and David Joseph Reimer and wife Dawn of Shelbyville, IL; 13 grandchildren, James D. Reimer (Kelsey), Elizabeth Geier (Brandon), Jessica Shaw, Michael Reimer (Amanda), Blake Furr (Whitney), Sarah Shaw, Brett Ahlbrand (Morgan), Bryan Reimer, Kyle Reimer (Yulia), Amanda Reimer, Olivia Bolinger (Wil), Sophia Reimer, and Stephanie Reimer; and great grandchildren, Riley Furr, James Paul Reimer, Peyton Shaw, Julianna Reimer and two more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eileen Welsh (Arthur).