MARION – James Howard “Coach” Deen, age 89, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024, at Marion VA Hospital in Marion, IL.
Jim was born July 12, 1935, in Walpole, IL. He was a son of John Kent and Ruth (Williams) Deen.
He married Wanda Faye Braden on March 25, 1959, at Brushy Church in Harco, IL. Wanda passed away September 17, 2022.
Jim was a teacher, coach, farmer, car salesman, Superintendent of Public Aide Office and an auctioneer.
Jim served in the U.S. Army. He loved to fish and bird hunt when not tied up with other obligations. He was a pitcher while serving in the U.S. Army for the Fort Eustis Wheels and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians but decided to go to school instead. He also was Chairman of Hamilton Co. Farm Bureau, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Co. Draft Board, Chairman of IL Welfare Assoc. District 10, Chairman of Hamilton Co. Board, Chairman of Wayne-White Electric, Chairman of WADI Food Nutrition, Sec. of So. IL Officials Assoc., Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellows Lodge, Co. Supt. Assoc, Welfare Assoc., IL Assoc, of Auctioneers, Chairman of Southeastern IL Regional Planning, Heritage Wood Support Line Board, Original Board Tree of Lights, Salvation Army, Chairman of Flannigan Coal Assoc., Appointed to Committee to Dist. area Regional School Alliance, Hamilton Co. Water Dist., Appt. State Committee of Economic Development and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Tenia Calhoon and husband, Brian; a son, Kent Deen and wife, Kimberly; two sisters, Mary Evelyn Tice, Mt. Vernon, IL and Beverly York, Fairfield, IL; a brother; Donnie Deen, Walpole. Also surviving are his five grandchildren, Ashley Taylor Ardisson and husband, Taylor, Jacob and Josh Calhoon, Kyle Deen and companion, Heather, and her son, Tate, and Kayla Deen. There is a great-grandson to be born at any minute.!
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL, with the service following at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Bill Reed officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL.
It was Jim’s wish that anyone that has a Cardinal shirt or jacket to wear it to his visitation and/or funeral if they can.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Wanda; brother, Frank Deen and wife, Donna; and brothers-in-law Bill Tice and Dallas York.
Memorials may be given to the Hebron Church Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL.
