Patty James

Patty James, age 80 of Boulder, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese on Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Mrs. James was born on the family farm east of Boulder on April 4, 1940, a daughter of the late Charles and Hazel (Gambill) Hintz.  She married Raymond M. James on March 26, 1959, and he preceded her in death on December 9, 2008.

Mrs. James is survived by her daughters – Kelly Hays and Kim Neff; her grandchildren – Teagan and Carson Neff; a brother – Rollin “Pete” Hintz and wife Jennie; her sister-in-law – Marilyn Hintz; and her friends Agnes Koehler, Linda Belcher, Pat Higgins, Nancy Hester, LeRoy Hester, and Karl Wrone. 

Patty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; a brother – Jimmie Hintz; her nieces and nephews – Jeff Hintz, Randy Hintz, Sherri Hintz Lobb, and Gayla Hintz; her in-laws – Harry James and Olive and Jess Masterson; special friend and companion, Matt Kuhl; and special friend Nancy Wrone. 

Patty worked as a rural mail carrier in Carlyle for 27 years.  She had a great love for her church, the Boulder United Methodist Church.  She was a Sunday school teacher for 30 years, played the piano for the children’s department, and served on many committees at church.  Patty volunteered on the funeral committee at the Boulder and Sandoval Methodist Churches and helped with the summer lunch program for several years.  She also volunteered at Norton’s Children’s Day Care for several years and at the Centralia Animal Shelter until her health prohibited it.  Patty had a great love for animals, always having cats and dogs.  She is survived by her cats, Kazzy and Tiger.  Patty enjoyed reading and loved being outside, especially riding her John Deere mower.  She finally gave that pickup to her brother, Pete. 

A Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 28, 2020, at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle.  Interment will follow at Pritchett Cemetery near Boulder. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home on Monday from 1:00-3:00 PM.  Masks and social distance requirements will be followed at the visitation and service.  Expressions of sympathy in her memory are suggested to the Boulder United Methodist Church.  Memorials and condolence cards will be accepted through Zieren Funeral Home, PO Box 276, Carlyle, IL 62231.  

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