CARBONDALE – James Roy Lance, 78, went home to be with the Father on Sunday, September 14, at 9:27 p.m. at his home at The Landings in Carbondale, Illinois, surrounded by family.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 18, at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Pastor Ken Petty officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Jim was born November 20, 1946, to Roy Everett and Lois (Clark) Lance. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly (Murray), on May 20, 1964, and they enjoyed 61 years of wedded bliss together.
Jim wore many hats throughout his life, an example of his versatility. He worked as a State and Federal Meat Inspector, a Coal Mine Mechanic, and retired as a Prison Guard. He also loved the farm and all that it entailed. He grew up on a peach and apple orchard (Clark & Brower Orchards), was a grain and hay farmer, and also raised hogs, cattle, and sheep. Later in life, he and his father, Roy, planted a smaller orchard and spent many days together in a labor of love.
The roles Jim cherished most, however, were those of loving husband, dad, papa, grandpa, papa great, and uncle. He loved with his whole heart, and his family and friends returned that love in abundance. Jim also had a knack for mischief, always keeping those around him laughing and on their toes. In recent years, as he lost many of his memories, his eyes would still twinkle playfully with a smile, and his family knew he was still with them.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He spent many hours hunting deer with his son, Clark, and later with his grandsons, Jamie and Jaden. In his younger years, he loved fishing, quail hunting, and training bird dogs.
After a particularly eventful day in January 2022, when it seemed that every person whose life he touched (and there were so many) was out searching for him, Jim and Beverly spent his final years at The Landings in Carbondale. There, they found a new family among the caring nurses and staff who loved him deeply. That love for “Jimbo” was never more evident than in his final days when many of those nurses, both past and present, came to see him one last time.
Jim was a longtime member of Grace Awakening Church in Benton, where he and Beverly were active for many years until his health no longer allowed him to attend. Pastor Ken Petty, his wife Joyce, and the entire congregation supported the family through both joy and sorrow, praying diligently as Jim battled for 15 years after his diagnosis.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, along with their sons: Brent Lance of Chicago, and Clark Lance (wife Stacey) of Sesser. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Adrian Lance of Indianapolis, Em England (husband Damian) of Litchfield, Joel and Mia Lance of Springfield, Jamie Lance (wife Katrina) of Sesser, and Jaden and Jace Lance of Sesser. He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Ryland and Charlotte England, and Easton, Whitley, and Kendri Lance.
In addition, he is survived by loving sisters-in-law Judy West and Cindy Davey (husband Mike), nieces Amie Monteggia (husband Joey), Laura Brandon (husband Doug), and Nicole Myers, as well as nephew Chad Genisio (wife Heather).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lois Lance, and his sister, Gay Lance.
For more information, visit our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
