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Obituary for James M. Kaspar
James M. Kaspar, 64, of Peoria, IL, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2023, with his loving family by his side.
James, known by many as Jim (and to a select few as Jimmy), was born on March 11, 1959, to Edgar and Gwendolyn Kaspar (Klawitter) in Peoria. He married Lorrie A. Kaspar (neé McKinney) on December 26, 1981. Their unbreakable dedication to one another gave James the strength to tackle every day with vigor and shaped him into the kind and caring man he was.
In addition to his adoring wife, James is survived by his three devoted children, Daniel (Maria Gonzalez) Kaspar of Washington, D.C., Julie (Nathan) Eaton of Dunlap, and Jessica (Brody Callihan) Kaspar of Normal; his four caring sisters, Sue (Jerry) Krause of Princeville, Deb (Jack) Cameron of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Amy (Bill) Woolf of Wichita, Kansas, and Lisa Garrison of Farmers City; and his kind siblings-in-law, Kathy Kaspar of Tavares, Florida, J.R. McKinney of Peoria, Vanessa (Ardel) Menke of Bloomington, and Valerie Conner of East Peoria. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews, and his two treasured grandsons, Benjamin and Thomas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Steve Kaspar; nephew, Andy Krause; parents-in-law, James and Emily McKinney, and brother-in-law, Patrick Conner.
James also leaves behind a community of friends, colleagues, clients, and fellow parishioners at Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, where he was a longtime member. His Christian faith guided him through the ups and downs of life, and his comfort in knowing he would one day be with God in Heaven gave him peace and understanding in his final days as he fought a valiant battle against an aggressive form of cancer.
As a financial advisor for nearly 30 years, most recently at Mutual of Omaha, James found his professional calling. Guiding his beloved clients in planning for a secure future, through the good times and the lean times, gave him a sense of purpose. No day was complete unless he had solved an issue for someone he cared about. James also served on several governing boards, including at Mt. Calvary and Concordia Lutheran Grade School, from where each of his children graduated. He was honored to give back to this fine institution and to do everything in his power to ensure the school and its mission would be sustained well into the future.
James enjoyed all manner of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and sports of marksmanship. He tinkered with, broke, and repaired (most of the time) anything within reach. His sense of humor was indelible, and his sly wit was contagious. For all who depended on him for reasons large and small, his belief in your abilities to accomplish great things endures. Chief among these, his wife and children, who meant everything to him, and who in turn bestowed upon him the titles of greatest husband and father in the world.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Mt. Calvary, 908 W. Hanssler Place, Peoria. His dear friend, Rev. Barry Long, will officiate. Visitation will be at the church that morning from 9:00-11:00 a.m. A luncheon at the church will follow the services. The family will be holding a private internment ceremony.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church and Concordia Lutheran Grade School.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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