James “Kaker” DeBernardi Jr., 96, of Naplate, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, at La Salle County Nursing Home with his family by his side.*Visitation will be on Saturday, March 9, from 10:00 am until 10:30 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.Kaker was born May 28, 1927, in Ottawa, IL, to James and Mary (Patruski) DeBernardi Sr. He married Leona Ballock on June 18, 1949 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Streator.Kaker attended Ottawa High School and started working at Libby Owens when he was 17 years old. He then served in the United States Coast Guard in Germany. When he returned, he went back to LOF and worked there for 42 years before his retirement. When he wasn’t working, he was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt in southern Illinois and go on fishing trips to his cabin in Minnesota. He was very talented working with his hands, even making his own plugs and lures.He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Leona DeBernardi; his son, Gary (Debby) DeBernardi; his granddaughters, Shannon (Jesse) Eckenroth and Kendra (Robbie) Sorensen; his great-grandchildren, Caden, Davin, Jaxon, Makenna, and Eliana Eckenroth and Van, Gemma, and Freya Sorensen; his sister, Joyce Piercy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Mary DeBernardi; his son, Daniel DeBernardi, and his siblings, Jack DeBernardi and Betty Thumm.Memorials may be directed to the Naplate Police and Fire Departments.The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.comOttawa Funeral Home & Crematory1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350815-433-0300www.ottawafuneralhome.com