JAMES J. "Jim" GREGORY, 85

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[JAMES J. "Jim" GREGORY, 85, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 3:00 am, Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Jim was born to the late Thomas E. and Vida I. (nee Torrence) Gregory on July 22, 1926 at Cowden, Illinois

Jim married Mildred Jany Clendenin on October 22, 1955 at Chester, Illinois; she survives.

Jim graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1951. He moved from Cowden, IL to Chester, IL shortly after graduation. Jim became a fixture in Chester Banking over a span of 40 years. He worked for the First National Bank and the Buena Vista National Bank; where he retired as the Executive Vice President. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Chester. He chaired and sat on numerous civic, church organizations and committees, including the Chester Rotary Club, Chester Chamber of Commerce, Kaskaskia Regional Port Authority, Illinois Bankers Association and the Group 9 Bankers Association. He thoroughly enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Chester Country Club and the Southern Illinois Senior Golfers Association.

Jim also enjoyed his many years of playing the Baritone Horn in the Chester Municipal Band. He was a former member of the Methodist Choir and Methodist Men's Club. He was a WWII Navy Veteran and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #487, Chester.

Survivors

Wife Mildred Gregory Chester, IL

Son James Michael (Joanne) Clendenin Atlanta, GA

4 Daughters Carol Ann (Bobby) DeMent Panama City Beach, FL

Christine Gregory St. Louis, MO

Catherine Gail (Rich) Abram Atlanta, GA

Kelly Jean (Todd) Moeller Chester, IL

2 Brothers Lewis Gregory Rancho Mirage, CA

Charles Gregory Tucson, AZ

6 Grandchildren Heather Michelle (nee DeMent) Miller, Maggie Jane Clendenin, Daniel James Moeller,

Jonathan Gregory Abram, Helen Elizabeth Abram and

Sydney Irene DeMent

Preceded in death by: Parents and 1 Brother Thomas Gregory

Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

Visitation: Monday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Tuesday - 7:30 am - 11:00 am

Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery

Chester, Illinois

Memorials: First United Methodist Church, Chester, Illinois