NORMAL -- James J. Ego of Normal died at 3:30 p.m. Friday (July 3, 2009) at his home.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, with his son, the Rev. Anthony Ego officiating. The Rev. Monsignor Gerald T. Ward and the Rev. Monsignor Eric Powell will concelebrate. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 3:15 p.m. There will also be visitation for one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Epiphany Catholic Church Building Fund or BroMenn Hospice.

Jim was born Oct. 25, 1929, in Wasson, the son of Charles and Goldie Hanes Ego. He married Rosemary Peters on Jan. 17, 1950, in Mount Carmel. She survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Bonnie (Bill) Gleason of Normal; two sons, the Rev. Anthony Ego of Milan, Ill., and David Ego of Bloomington; four grandchildren, Kris (Knick) Reed, Kerry Beth Gleason and Jim and Sam Ego; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steven P. Ego; an infant daughter, Debra Ann Ego; three brothers; and two sisters.

Jim graduated from Eldorado High School and served with the United States Marine Corps as a sergeant in Guam. He retired from Growmark, Inc. as the Feed Division manager in 1985 after 35 years of employment. He later owned and operated JJE and Associates Consulting Firm until 2000. Jim was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal, the Knights of Columbus, Bloomington, and its Fourth Degree Knights. He was past chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Feed Industry Association and a founding member of the Corn Belt Carving Club.