Jim Garrard

Jim Garrard, 51, of Palestine, IL, died at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. He was born May 11, 1965 in Sullivan, IN, the son of Larry D. Garrard & Henrietta (Nichols) Garrard, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Henry & Virgina (Mitchell) Nichols; by his paternal grandparents, Alfred & Alice (Stevens) Garrard; by four uncles, Raymond Garrard, Kenneth Garrard, Mike Garrard, and Ova Nichols; and by his aunt, Clara Mae Deakins. He married Shelley Qualkinbush on December 16, 2000, and she survives. He is also survived by his former wife, Stacey Wilken (Paris, IL); by his daughters, Amber Cramer (Paris, IL), Jami Garrard (Portland, OR), and Mariah Garrard (Paris, IL); by his step-son, Zach Burget (Pana, IL); by his grandchildren, Lily Cramer, Hezeki Wright, and Emma Burget; by his brothers, Timothy Garrard (Pekin, IL), Paul Garrard (Palestine, IL), and Rick & Jennifer Fritch (Robinson, IL); by his sisters, Penny & John Divine (Maryville, IL) and Rhnay Friedrich (Palestine, IL); by his step-mother, Barb Sanders Garrard; by his aunts and uncles, Kathy Johnson, Gaye Nichols, Jetta Lee Matheny, Clayton & Melody Garrard, Ruth Garrard, Robert Garrard, Chris Dunlap, and Joanie Wakefield; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Jim was a 1983 graduate of Palestine High School and went on to attend Lincoln Trail College, where he earned a certificate in the HVAC Program. He worked in heating, ventilation and air conditioning for many years, having worked for Zink Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Robinson, B & E Heating & Cooling in Lawrenceville, and Sutton Heating & Cooling in Vincennes, IN. Away from work, he took an active interest in astronomy, and loved to look at the stars through his telescope. He also enjoyed looking for arrowheads and loved fishing. He was very good with his hands, and was constantly building electronic devices, among other items. It was his nature to take care of people and to save animals. Friends and family alike will remember Jim as a man who could fix anything and who loved to help people out. Jim is to be cremated, with the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson in charge of arrangements. His family will oversee services that will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Crawford County Christian Center in Robinson.