Owen "Jim" Shurts

Owen “Jim” Shurts, 86, of Peoria, passed away on December 22, 2021 at River Crossing in Peoria. He was born on February 4, 1935 in Bradford, IL to Ivan and Isla (Owen) Shurts. He married Geraldine Matthews on April 14, 1984; she survives. Jim is survived by his son, Jeffrey; daughter, Jennifer Durst; step-son, Timothy (Elizabeth) Johnston; step-daughter, Jill Johnston; six grandchildren, Benjamin, Bradley, Ryan, Tim, Oliva, and Sophia; two sisters, Sherril McKeever and Rebecca Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Duane, Elwin, Billy, and Ronald Shurts; and three sisters, Darlene Shurts, Mara Shurts, and Gloria Rutherford. Jim was a loving husband and proud marine. Funeral service will at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Schmidt Haller Burial & Cremation Services. Burial will take place at Swan Lake Memory Gardens. There will be no meal following services due to Covid. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research. An open letter to my husband Jim, from his wife of almost 38 years and 41 years of knowing him. God took one of his faithful servants home to be with him on December 22, 2021. Jim had a deep and quiet faith that he lived out every day. He was a kind, honorable, honest, dependable, and sincere man who loved life and could find the good or lesson to be learned in any situation. He was a happy, joyful person. He was born in a farmhouse outside of Bradford, IL and helped the family continue to farm until he graduated high school; the first in his family to accomplish this. He was an expert marksman, but only used that skill to provide meat for the family. After a while, he joined the marines and again provided marksmanship. He was proud to be a marine always and lived his life by their code of honor. Jim had a way with children that was endearing and loved to make them laugh. He inspired numerous to stay in contact into their adulthood. He was good inspiring many adults to want to be a better person, including me. He made friends easily, partly because of his sincerity and quiet example of a caring man. He had a great sense of humor. He started in the heavy equipment career by working on farm machinery out of necessity and proceeded to being a mechanic for Peoria Tractor Co. and in this field he made a lifetime of friends. He was promoted rapidly; retiring from Eighmy Machinery as branch manager. When he married me he made me the happiest woman in the world. We married our best friend. I feel our marriage was blessed and special until the day he died. We walked our journey together and had many adventures together, from gardening, golfing and our favorite riding our motorcycles to explore places. We traveled all 48 states finding special beauty, in each state we made more friends along the way. We belonged to Peoria Motorcycle Club and were both very active members. We went a lot of places to see motorcycle races and Sturgis for ‘Hill Climb’. Very interesting experience all over. Grandchildren were very important to us, especially when they were younger. They all loved ‘gramps’ and grandma, but especially gramps. Music was very important in his life and he was very gifted, he played several instruments. Jim was willing to help anyone who needed help and lived god’s principal in showing sincere, unconditional love. He was involved in construction organizations, cairn animal rescue, several animal organizations, and always had dogs and a few cats. His last 8-10 years were difficult due to his Alzheimer’s. As the disease progressed he had more challenges, but always took them in stride and did the best he could each day; never complained and always joked a lot about his disease. His attitude was gracious and kind till the end. He sang a lot in his younger life and it became his comfort to himself at the ending of his life. He died quietly, but lovingly alone’ his choice I believe because I had not left him for very long. He now has found peace. I will mourn for him deeply. He taught me as much about life and loyalty and most of all unconditional love for god, family, and country in the order. He always inspired me to be a better person. We both had each other and his spirit will continue to be with me. If I can leave half as much good and the trail of love as he did I will feel like I lived a good life; in that same strong, quiet, gentle love. I would be very grateful. The proud to be his wife always, Geri Shurts

Owen "Jim" Shurts

February 2, 1935 - December 22, 2021