James M. Andres

James "Jim" Mortimer Andres passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Born in Lakewood, Ohio on April 23, 1936, Jim was the first-born son of Ira and Madeline Andres. After earning his GED, Jim served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1962, then went on to complete a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in English from John Carroll University and, following his retirement from a career in civil service, a doctorate in English from the University of Pennsylvania.

While studying at John Carroll, Jim met and married his wife, Clare (Tomal), in 1968, and the couple had six children. After an early career in academia, Jim spent many years working for the Social Security administration and then taught as an adjunct professor during his retirement.

Jim is preceded in passing by his father, mother, stepmother Annabelle Andres, brother George, and wife Clare. Jim is survived by his sister Suzanne Taylor and his six children and their spouses: Sara Andres (DeKalb, IL), Andrew Andres (Tracy, CA), Patrick and Melissa (Lynn) Andres (Belvidere, IL), Cathleen Andres (St. Charles, IL), Angela Andres and Eric Scherbarth (Lawrence, KS), and Cora (Andres) Moreno and Hector Moreno (Sacramento, CA).

Jim also leaves behind his grandchildren – Adeline (Andres) Corbo, Riley Graber, Ethan Andres, Marley McIntosh, Sophie Contreras, Talia Lewis, Leila Shili, Severin Moreno, Jaxon Andres, Brandon Scherbarth, and Poppy Scherbarth – as well as beloved nieces and nephews and many extended family members.

In addition to his family, Jim loved language, wordplay, and composing spare, humorous, and keenly observed poems and essays. Jim devoted many hours driving to and from his children's and grandchildren's athletic events and other activities and was a vocal supporter in the bleachers or audience. Jim also had a lifelong love of music; he fondly remembered singing and playing music with his family as a child and as an adult he enjoyed playing guitar, mandolin, and harmonica, and singing in the church choir.

Jim lived a simple life, prioritized his spiritualty and fellowship, and gave generously of himself and his time. He never met a stranger and enjoyed conversation with many kinds of people on almost any subject from the mundane to the metaphysical. Jim touched many people with his kindness, wit, and wisdom, and leaves behind a wide network of friends and associates from his years of involvement in religious and community organizations.

The family would like to express the deepest gratitude to Carol Tweedy, John Endrud, Tom Morgan, Collette Snydacker and Max Kirsche for their unconditional love, support, and friendship to Jim and his family. The family also is grateful for the care and services provided by Northern Illinois Hospice and Heartland Hospice.

Services will be Thursday, September 8, at Newman Catholic Student Center/Christ the Teacher Church in DeKalb, IL as follows:

9:30 am – Visitation

10:30 am – Funeral Mass

11:30 am – Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in DeKalb (time is approximate)

12:30 pm – Fellowship and Celebration of Life at Newman Community room (time is approximate)

Local arrangements are under the direction of Finch Funeral home in DeKalb, IL.