James Buckholz

James “Jim” “Bucky” Buckholz, age 72, of Hanover, Illinois and a Vietnam Veteran died Friday, January 3, 2020 at the VA Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa with his family by his side. A funeral service will be held 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery with Full military Rites by the Elizabeth-Hanover VFW and the Stockton American Legion. Visitation will be held 10:00 – 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 8 at the Funeral Home. Friends are invited to share in Jim’s life at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com .

Jim was a proud Veteran, loving Father, and a cherished partner and companion. Born September 24, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Paul and Geraldine (O’Conner) Buckholz, Jim grew up graduating from Forestview High School in Rolling Meadows, then spent a short time at UW LaCrosse before enlisting in the US Navy, deployed in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to work in some of the most dangerous conditions on the U.S.S America and the U.S.S. Forestal Aircraft Carriers flight decks. His experience with military continued throughout his life as he served on numerous firing squads to provide Honors to his brothers-in-arms. He was a member of the Elizabeth-Hanover VFW and the Stockton American Legion.

Jim helped raise a daughter, Sharon, and son Paul. He was a loving father, and grand-father, sharing his passion for sports, particularly his Chicago teams, the Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks and Bulls. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and preferred football to all other sports but golf. Golfing provided a way to share time with friends and be competitive. He shot a hole-in-one once, surprising the whole foursome when they ascended the green.

Jim learned the machining trade as he worked as a young man for Konex, llinois Tool Works. Aim Enterprises, and a few small furniture and brick companies. After his father’s passing, Jim moved to Hanover to take care of his mom. It was here that in 1989, Jim began J & B Machining, fabricating specialty parts for manufacturing companies and the aircraft industry until his retirement in 2017.

Jim will be dearly missed by his daughter, Sharon ( Doug) Killian of Lakemoor, Illinois and his son, Paul (Adena) Buckholz of Burlington, Illinois; two grandchildren, Sandra (Adam) Opatrny and Aidan Buckholz; his brother, Kirk (Patty) Buckholz of Kansas City, Missouri; his friend and companion, Vicky Hastings and her children and grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his grandson, Riley Buckholz; his sister, Meredyth Coberg; and his parents, Paul and Jerry.