James Finnegan
James R. Finnegan, 82, of Bloomington, passed away at 6:02 a.m., Jan. 03 at his home.
His funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington with Rev. Jeff Windy, Rev. Douglas Hennessy and Rev. Donald Rozkowski officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Trinity Church or Central Catholic High School.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Jim was born April 14, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Reilly and Marie Callahan Finnegan. He married E. Joanne Milford on Aug. 8, 1959 in Shrewsbury, Missouri. She survives.
He is also survived by his six children, James (Jeanne) Finnegan, Jr, of Phoenix, Ariz., Jack (Melinda) Finnegan of Columbia, Mo., Peg (John) Kuntz of Bloomington, Mary (Steve) Sobotta of Boiling Springs, Pa., Kathleen (Tom) Conklin of Elmwood and Patrick Finnegan of Bloomington; 15 grandchildren, Kevin Finnegan, Allie, Andrew, Robert and Maggie Kuntz, Nick, Matt, Kate and Meg Sobotta, Eileen, Maddie, Cece and Rory Conklin, Connor and Gavin Finnegan.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Finnegan, and seven brothers and sisters, Reilly, Charles, Mary Eyermann, Tom, Patsy, Michael and Diane Paur.
Jim was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis and Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Mo. He was a member of the US Army from 1955-1957.
Jim had a long career with State Farm beginning as their first Fire Claims Representative in the St. Louis area. He became well-known and respected as a Claim Consultant and Director in Property & Casualty claims in Bloomington. He later started State Farm Replacement Service (SFRS) and retired as Director in 1998. He obtained multiple insurance designations including CPCU and CLU.
Jim was a proud member of Kiwanis Club and notably a past president of the Golden Kiwanis Club. He was an alderman on the Bloomington City Council for 3 terms spanning 12 years. He volunteered for numerous other organizations over the years, including the Prairie Aviation Museum, Heart Menders at BroMenn Medical Center and the Salvation Army. He was very active in the McLean County Republican Party for countless years.
Jim was an active member of Holy Trinity Church as a lector, usher, as well as serving on the Parish Council and as Chairman of the Building Committee.
Jim loved to read and was never afraid to try new things and had a voracious appetite to learn with a particular interest for military history and politics. He cherished his time with his family and especially enjoyed each of his grandchildren. He was known by all in his immediate and extended family as “Papaw”. He was a loving husband, father, and especially grandfather and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
