James "J.C." C. Cannon

James C. Cannon "J.C." passed away peacefully with family at his side on Thursday, January 23, 2025.  He was born at home in Rapatee, Illinois on September 8, 1938, and had his first story to tell- coming in at thirteen pounds and being carried around town in a turkey roaster for all to see.  From then on J.C. was never without a story, a laugh, or a drink to share.

He was a proud graduate of Spoon River Valley High School and the University of Illinois where he participated in ROTC and continued his service in the US Army and Reserves.  He spent his professional career at Caterpillar where he made life-long friends and was a proud retiree.

After marriages to Letha Combs and Cheryl Spence that gave him three loving daughters, he met his soulmate, Sherry Machlan.  They married on July 16, 1983 and filled the next forty years with many amazing adventures and stories to share with family and friends.

J.C. exemplified his philosophy of life:  work to live, don't live to work.  He was a dear friend to all who knew him and possessed an infectious spirit. He loved golfing with his buddies, boating, and cheering on the Illini, Bears and Cubs, all of which taught him patience, he said.  He and Sherry were avid travelers; whether it was with the Peoria Ski Club or their Christmas Spirits friends, they were always up for a trip.  They made it to six out of seven continents, only missing Antarctica due to a storm the day they were to fly there.

J.C. was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mildred, sister- Annabel,  daughter- Julie (Tom) Stein, and wife Sherry.  He is survived by two daughters, Jill (Bryan) Carey and Erin (Chris) Schmidgall, son Bill (Lisa) Koenig and seven grandchildren - Chris (Sara) and Sean (Sloan) Stein, Justin and Jamie Carey, Joseph Koenig, and Charlie and Jacy Schmidgall.  He also has eight great-grandchildren.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Willow Hill United Methodist Church with Reverend Nicole Cox officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until service time, also on Saturday at the church. A private family burial of ashes will be in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vitas Hospice, 5019 North Executive Drive, Peoria, IL 61614 or to Willow Hill United Methodist Church, 304 East Far Hills Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Vitas Hospice
5019 North Executive Drive, Peoria IL 61614

Willow Hill United Methodist Church
304 East Far Hills Drive, East Peoria IL 61611