James E. Hougas
Mr. James E. Hougas, 77, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.
Born July 12, 1932, at home on Armstrong Street in Morris, Jim was a son of Adlai and Cecelia Hilton-Hougas.
Jim served in the U.S. Army Paratrooper Division from 1950-1954 as a gunman in the Korean War. During his service, he was cited with the Korean Service Metal, two Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Metal, the ROK Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Metal and Combat Infantry Badge.
After being honorably discharged, Jim married Barbara Ann Diederich at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris on Aug. 4, 1956. He worked at the Aurora news agency from 1954 to 1967 and from 1970 to 1973, and farmed in Riceville, Iowa, from 1967 to 1970 with his father-in-law, whom he loved dearly.
Jim then gained employment with Nettle Creek School District from 1973 to 1987, and later worked for Morris Construction Company and "D" Construction until his retirement in 2001. In his retirement, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, telling stories of his life experiences and doing his puzzles.
Jim was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, Past Commander and Color Guard Flag bearer for the American Legion Post 294, member of the F.O.E. Aerie 1024, V.F.W. Post 6049 and Sons of Norway and Teamsters Union Local 179. Jim will also be remembered for being an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Survivors include six children, James E. (Barb) Hougas, Jr. of Albuquerque, N.M., John (Kelly) Hougas of Morris, Mary (Keith) Pokarney of Dwight, Barbara (Jason) Semlar of Morris, Thomas (Carol) Hougas of Seneca and Catherine (Bryan) Jones of Peru; 18 grandchildren, James E. (Annie) Hougas III, Katherine Hougas, Elizabeth Hougas, Robert Hougas, Brant (Heather) Hougas, Seth Hougas, Heath Hougas, Kristina (Mike) Mondelli, Kimberly Pokarney, Kate (Matt) Brickman, Eric Strait, Diane Strait, Jessica Strait, Tyler Semlar, Daniel Hougas, Miranda Hougas, Matthew Hougas and Nicholas Jones; one great-granddaughter, Giana Mondelli; one brother-in-law, Milton “Mutt” Wharrie of Coal City; one sister-in-law, Faye Hougas of Ada, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; 11 siblings; son, Joseph in 1982; and wife, Barbara in 2005.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday Sept. 14, 2009 at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington St. (one block east of Illinois 47) in Morris.
Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris with a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated. Rev. Ronald Hart will officiate.
Burial with full military honors provided by the Morris Color Guard will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Morris.
Acting pallbearers are James E. Hougas III, Robert Hougas, Brant Hougas, Seth Hougas, Heath Hougas, Daniel Hougas and Matthew Hougas. Jim’s other grandchildren will be honorary pallbearers.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim’s memory to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 516 East Jackson St., Morris, Ill., 60450, or Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Ill., 60431.
Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. For more information, call 815-942-2500.
