James S. Wells, 86 of Fairbury, passed away at 8:50am, Friday, July 5, 2019 at OSF Healthcare, St. James, John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Rev. Daryl Evans officiating.  Burial will follow at Chenoa Twp. Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Fairbury or SELCAS.  A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00am, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the church prior to the funeral.

James was born May 11, 1933 in Wing, IL, a son of Samuel and Adeline Wells.  He married Winnie Joann Newkirk on November 10, 1951 in Fairbury.  She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Diana (Mike) Ramsey of Fairbury, Karen (Warren) Jackson of Fairbury, Dennis (Dawn) Wells of Lincoln, IL, Marsha (David) Taylor of Fairbury, and Nancy Wells of Strawn; ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

He is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, four sisters and one grandson, Alexander James Wakey.

Jim worked at Honegger's Feed Mill for over 20 years before going to Fairbury Hospital in the maintenance department.  He was a simple man enjoying the outdoors and his love of fishing and deeply loved his family.