James "Jimmy" N. Kempel, age 82 of Lena, IL, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, after a long battle with congestive heart failure.  He was born on August 23, 1938 in Freeport, IL, the son of Nelson and Dora (Papp) Kempel. James grew up working on the family farm in Kent.  He was a 1956 graduate of Pearl City High School.  James married Patricia Thruman on May 10, 1959 at the First Methodist Church in Freeport, together they had three children. He then married Virginia Shumaker on July 26, 1975 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kent, IL. He then was a semi driver for McPhillips Trucking and then Solace Transfer out of Lena. After retiring he worked seasonally at Swiss Colony and started his own mowing company Jim Bobs Lawncare.  He was a member of Pearl City Lions Club and the Pearl City Masonic Lodge. James was a people person who was young at heart and always up for a laugh, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

James is survived by his 3 children- David Kempel of Monroe, WI, Andrea Kempel of Sterling, IL, and Daniel Kempel of Omaha, NE; 2 grandchildren- Kristin Canas and Caden Celestino both of Sterling, IL;   2 great-grandchildren- Chloe and Corbin Scribner of Sterling, IL; sister Donna Ruch of Monroe, WI; Patricia Pohl of Monroe, WI and Virginia Shumaker of Freeport, IL numerous nieces and nephews; special friends Scott and Casey Solace; and his beloved kitties- Cassie, Harriot, and Wonder.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother LaVerl Kempel on October 18, 2020.

Funeral service will be held at Noon on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.

Officiating will be Pastor Randy Nicholas.

Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in his memory.