James Larry “Jabo” Farmer, 75, of Marseilles, Illinois, passed away on December 26th, 2024. He was born February 27th, 1949 to Gilbert and Yvonne (Combs) Farmer in Campbellsville, Kentucky. He married his big door prize Katherine “Kathy” Dauck on June 25th, 1976 in Ottawa, IL. Jabo is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, his children Jessica (Tracy Hewitt) Farmer of Champaign, IL and Joshua Farmer of Marseilles, IL. He also leaves grandchildren Elliott Graff, Remington and Parker Widmer, Emmett, Malia and Saxton Hewitt-Farmer; brothers Gerald, Michael, Denny and Danny (Linda) Farmer, sisters Barbara (Ben) Flynn and Rachel Pomatto; brothers-in-law James Dauck and Robert (Lisa) Dauck, sisters-in-law Mary (Paul) Alford and Linda Dauck; and many nieces and nephews. Jabo was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Randall Farmer, his sister Sandra Reynolds, his brother-in-law, John Dauck, and his niece Tonya Jennings.
Jabo was an Army Veteran and served in the Vietnam Conflict. He was a proud member of the Marseilles Laborers Local #393 for over 50 years and retired in 1996. He spent his summers gardening, growing the biggest tomatoes and other plants. He loved outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, foraging for mushrooms, and collecting rocks. He was happy to grow up during a time where he got to see all the “good bands” live in concert. He bragged about taking money from his friends at the card table (usually poker or pinochle). He enjoyed his frequent morning cup of coffee at Bowl-Rite Lanes and his oatmeal from the restaurant down the hill (until Kathy retired and started making it for him). He was a sports enthusiast and loved watching his family compete in various events throughout his life. He rarely missed watching an Illini game, the Price is Right or Jeopardy. More than anything, he loved spending time with family – especially his grandchildren. He loved us all “more than we knew” and was deeply loved by his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at Laborers Local 393 Hall in Marseilles on Saturday, January 11th from 1p – 5p. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fisher House at Hines VA in his name (https://www.va.gov/hines-health-care/programs/fisher-house-at-hines-va/).
The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle has been entrusted with his arrangements.