Loving family man, James Culver Cocanour, 75, of Mendota passed away December 17, 2020, at Franklin Grove Rehabilitation Center.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m at Lutheran Cemetery, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

James was born in St Albans, Vermont on October 9, 1945 to James and Helen (Culver) Cocanour.

In James' younger years he was a standout football player that earned himself a full ride scholarship to the University of Indiana. After college he went on to open a pizza parlor/tobacco and pipe shop in French Lick, Indiana. There is where he met the love of his life Darla Stone, and the two married soon after in 1977. James enjoyed many activities such as golf, fishing, duck hunting, chess, and he was always up for a good game of cards. James was a gentle soul with an incredible drive to be the best that he could be in anything that he did. After moving to Illinois in 1980 James began a career in the car industry working for a few different dealerships in the Illinois Valley. Most of those years were served at Schimmers, Inc. in Mendota.

James was the father of one daughter, Sarah Cocanour Dalton who passed in 2013. James is survived by his wife Darla of Mendota; his three sons, Wesley (Maricia) Cocanour of Mendota, Douglas Cocanour of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Tyler Cocanour of Mendota; two sisters Nancy (Chuck) Robinson and Patricia (Chris) Baruxes; one brother Bill (Gale) Cocanour; six granddaughters Kalie, Riley, Lexi, Caia, Lauren and Madelyne and one great grandson Colton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family.