James Patrick Healy

James Patrick Healy, 79, town of Holton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children, on Monday, September 20, 2021 under the care of Hope Hospice.

He was born August 1, 1942 in Chicago, IL, son of the late Joseph and June (Salter) Healy.  On May 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Joan Gregoire in Chicago.

Jim was a veteran of the United States Army National Guard. He was a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department until his retirement.  Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, watching sports on television, hunting and fishing, and hunting trips out West with his hunting buddies.  He also loved to share his life and firefighting stories with family and friends. 

Survivors include, his loving wife of 55 years, Joan; six children, Kathleen (James) Egre, Laura (Dan) Sanchez, Melissa Healy, Sean (Marie) Healy, Colleen (Terry) Halopka and Shannon (Tommy) Ploeckelman; grandchildren, Cyri Watson, Melissa (Josh) Lee, Corrine (Trent) Arn, Luke (Randi) Watson, Kaity (Austin) Richardson, Jeremiah Egre, Nolen, Remy and Abigail Crabtree, Caden Healy, Samantha, Elizabeth and Victoria Healy, RoseMary and Grace Hughes, River, Ella and Tanner Halopka, Madelynn, Bennett, Titus, Faith and Silas Ploeckelman; great-grandchildren, Bridget, Wade, David, Ziva, Alexis, Cordelia, Oliver, Calvin, Raegan, Harper, Hadley and one on the way; a brother, John (Maureen) Healy; a brother-in-law, Steve (Jeanne Rose) Bezenyei; a stepbrother, Brad (Kathy) Beyer; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Edward Beyer; an infant son, Michael Healy; an infant great-grandson, Rain Watson; a sister, Jeanne Mary Bezenyei; and a nephew, Kevin Healy.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, with Pastor Jeffrey Solwold presiding. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services, all at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Milan Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Athens American Legion and Athens Veterans of Foreign Wars.

A memorial fund is being established in James’s memory.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com