Obituary of James Bodtke

James E. Bodtke III, 64, of Chillicothe passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home surrounded by his family. Jim was born on March 18, 1954 in Peoria, the son of James E. and Ruby M. (Hill) Bodtke, Jr. He married Sandra L. Irelan on June 27, 1992 in Peoria. He is survived by his wife Sandra; children, Michael J. Bodtke and Jaimee R. Bodtke of Chillicothe; his mother, Ruby M. Bodtke of Dunlap; sister Lori (Doug) Schertz of Metamora; and brother Jerry (Jan) Bodtke of Chillicothe. He was preceded in death by his father. Jim was the founding partner and President of Bodtke and Stewart Certified Public Accountants in Peoria, serving his clients for more than 36 years. He also had a great passion for learning and teaching in the Department of Accountancy at the University of Illinois in Champaign. He loved to fish and hunt ducks and was a lifetime member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. Jim was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Chillicothe and the Knights of Columbus, Council 8020. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Edward Catholic Church, Chillicothe. Msgr. Michael Bliss will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Friday evening at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home, Chillicothe. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 3:30 PM. Burial will take place at St. Clement's Cemetery, Dunlap. Memorials may be made to St. Edward Catholic School or Ducks Unlimited. Jim’s online memorial website may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com