James E. Poisel, 82, of Mendota passed away Monday, April 17, 2023 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center Mendota.

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

James was born September 16, 1939 in Mendota to Orval and Audrey (Leetch) Poisel. He married Judie Jones on June 20, 1959 at Holy Cross Church, Mendota.

Jim graduated from Mendota High School in 1958 and served in the United States Army. He was a firefighter for the Mendota Fire Department for 20+ years. He was an active volunteer of the Peterstown TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and Cursillo  for over 30 years. He received the Spirit of TEC award in 2021. Jim also donated handmade "Let it Shine" wall hangings and thousands of wood crosses for anyone he would cross paths with.

Jim is survived by his four daughters Kimberly Lewis of Mendota, Sandra (Lyle) Krieser of Wisconsin, Connie (Joe) Crawford of Mendota and April Poisel of New York; eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; sister Sheryl (Russell) Jecklin of Rockford and his brother Dr. Richard (Deborah) Poisel of the state of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Judie, in 2021, and his sister Teresa Marisette.

Memorials may be directed to the family.