James Emil Bourland

James Emil Bourland MARION-James Emil Bourland, 76, of Marion passed away at 2:40 PM, Monday, April 16, 2007 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Todd Greiner officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lebanon Cemetery in Galatia. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. James affectionately known as “Gramps” to family and friends was born November 9, 1930 in Saline County, Illinois to Emil James and Naoma C. (Keelin) Bourland. He married Barbara Curry on April 25, 1975 in Marion; together they shared almost 32 years of marriage. Survivors include his children, Cynthia and Terry Huey of Monaca, Pennsylvania, Rebecca and Dean Lackey of Sheridan, Wyoming, Valerie “Cricket” and Steve Fry of Marion, Debra and Rick Atkisson of Marion, Bill and Beverly Bourland of Social Circle, Georgia, Tim Mocaby of Conyers, Georgia, John Mocaby of Cleveland, Ohio, Laura “Peanut” and Alan Dirks of Eustis, Florida and James “Jim Bo” and Kim Bourland of Marion; twenty three grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; brother, Dave Bourland of Macon, Georgia; and sister, Patsy Burnet of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Tom Mocaby. Mr. Bourland attended Community of Faith Church. He served his country with the United States Army 11th Airborne as a paratrooper during the Korean Conflict. After the military he served as a police officer for the City of Waukegan, Illinois, worked as a service manager for Orkin Pest Control and later owned and operated his own business “Budget Pest Control”. He was a devoted father and grandfather and will be missed by all.