James H. Sammons, age 64, of Mt. Vernon and formerly of Carbondale passed away 5:40 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

He was born Nov. 23, 1942, in Mt. Vernon to Harvey and Hazel (Klein) Sammons.

He married Sue (Baker) Williams on June 10, 1990, in Kauai, Hawaii and she survives in Mt. Vernon.

He was an environmental engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation until retirement. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Texas A & M and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. He was a member of Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge 819 in Mt. Vernon where he was a Past Exalted Ruler and Immediate Past Trustee. He was the former District Secretary of the Southwest District and Present District Secretary of the South Central District and also served as the current Illinois State Elks Association Ritual Chairman.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sue Sammons of Mt. Vernon; two daughters, Michelle and husband Chris Ashby of Mt. Vernon and Amie and husband Keith King of Mt. Vernon; father-in-law, Frank Baker and wife Kay of Belle Rive; sister-in-law, Kim and husband Todd Raufeisen of Rock Island; niece, Amanda Raufeisen; nephew Derek Raufeisen; two grandchildren, Colleen and Andrew Ashby both of Mt. Vernon.

Jim was proudly known as Papa Jimmy by his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Jim Sammons will be held Sunday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with the Elks Lodge of Sorrows service to be held at 7 p.m., followed by a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon with Father Daniel Jurek officiating. Interment will be held a later date.

In lieu of flowers Memorials may be given in memory of Jim Sammons to the Elks National Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

For more information you may call Newell Funeral Home at 246-0100 or visit at www.newellfuneralhome.com.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: March 31, 2007
Submitted by: Jerry Williams