James Bernard Conness

James Bernard Conness, age 97, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 9th at Gladfelter - Roetker Funeral Home with a Rosary service at 3:45 p.m.  Members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand guard.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 10th at St. Columba Church with the Rev. David M. Kipfer celebrating.  Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard.  Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

James was born May 15, 1921 in Streator, Illinois, a son of Michael Chester and Louise Katherin (Cull) Conness, Sr.  He married Ann Teresa Rose December 1, 1951 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death April 16, 2015.  Surviving are his children, James J. (Nancy) Conness, Deborah Conness-Hinds, Sue (David) Mogan, Dr. Diane Conness and Steven Conness; grandchildren, Christopher (Karen) Conness, Carrie (Joseph) Harrison, Nicholas (Erinn) Conness, Dara (Stuart Carter) Jimenez, Ellen (Cody) Meyer, Matthew Mogan, Gabrielle (Kyle) Foote, Shane Mogan, Lauren Jablonski, Rachel (William) Sender and Alex Conness; and twelve great-grandchildren.  He also leaves a sister, Mary Louise (Carl) Tomlinson; and a cousin, Mary Alice Arckels.  James was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, David John Conness; brothers, Edmund, Jerome, Michael Chester, Jr., Marion Francis, William and Benjamin Conness; and a son-in-law, Richard Hinds.

James was a member of St. Columba Parish.  He proudly served his country as a “Seabee” in the U.S. Navy.  James was a retired electrician with IBEW Local 176 and was a member of the Retiree’s Club.  He was also a member of VFW Post 2470 and was a very active Fourth Degree Knight of the Ottawa Knights of Columbus Council #1757.  James loved gardening and was known for his large vegetable gardens.  He dearly loved his family and attending his grandchildren’s various events.