Jim Dennison

Jim Dennison, 60, of Champaign died at home on Saturday, August 3, from an unexpected cardiac event.

He is survived by his wife, Kirsten Stigberg Dennison, of Champaign; his son James of Savoy and daughter Isabel of Las Vegas; brother Tim (Stacia) Dennison of Effingham and sister Jennifer (Kelly) Marquardt of Monticello; his father, Jim F. Dennison, of Monticello; and many other extended family members and friends. His mother preceded him in death in 2008.

James Eugene Dennison was born January 10, 1964, in Effingham, Illinois, to James Findlay Dennison and Margaret Ellen (Sims) Dennison. The first of their three children and an only child until age 7, Jimmy enjoyed a happy childhood in Charleston and then Oakland, Illinois. He graduated from Oakland High School, where he played football, in 1982, and then attended Knox College in Galesburg, receiving his BA in art.

After graduating Jim started working as a computer illustrator at Publication Services in Champaign, where he would soon meet his future wife Kirsten. His career path then moved to Precision Graphics, where he continued work in textbook illustration, specializing in earth sciences and biology. Jim and Kirsten married in 1995, and welcomed their first child James in 2000, followed by Isabel in 2003. After James’ birth, Jim became a stay-at-home dad, a temporary plan that became permanent. He was a devoted father who enjoyed sharing his love of nature and art with his children, filling their days with art projects, trips to local parks, sledding, and camping. Jim found purpose and fulfillment in his homekeeping role even as the children grew up and moved out; he did all of the cooking and shopping, home repairs and renovations, and many other projects until the end of his life. Family and friends were always welcomed, well fed, and cared for. His other passions included gardening, keeping freshwater fish tanks, building furniture, and expressing his creativity in countless other ways.

He was known and loved by many for his good humor, kindness, talent and integrity. His passing is not only a loss to his family, but to his community as well.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, August 10, from 2-4 pm, at Owens Funeral Home in Champaign.

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