James “Jim” J. Herring, age 72, of Bridgeport, Illinois, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016, at his residence.
He was born April 9, 1944 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Francis and Monica (Pettigrew) Herring. He married Janet Wise on December 31, 1966, and she survives.
Jim graduated from Washington Catholic High School. He attended Vincennes University, Indiana State University, and IUPUI.
Jim started his career as a writer for Chrysler Corporation. He owned and operated the Bridgeport Leader for 30 years and started the Oblong Gem in Crawford County in the early 1980’s. He also owned or published newspapers in Indiana, Texas and California.
Jim was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He was a lifelong member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Knights in Temple, Texas.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents, one brother Francis Michael Herring and one sister, Joyce Sinnott. One grandchild, Seth Wirth, also preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Janet Herring, of Bridgeport; five daughters, Anne M. Gartner (Bill) of rural Lawrenceville, Catherine D. Wirth (Jerry) of rural Lawrenceville, Julia R. Griesemer (Shannon) of rural Sumner, Jennifer R. Lockhart (Dean) of rural St. Francisville, and Monica A. Kelly (Chad) of rural Lawrenceville; three sisters, Mary Ann Stoll of Auburn, Alabama, Martha Lindley of Union, Oregon and Patty Elmer of Newburgh, Indiana; 12 grandchildren Erin Gartner, Abby Gartner, Jacob Wirth, Nathan Wirth, Emily Wirth, Jordan Lockhart, Shane Lockhart, Blake Griesemer, Gracie Griesemer, Allison Griesemer, Ethan Kelly, Madison Kelly and three step-grandchildren, Dane Kelly, Drew Kelly and McKenzi Kelly.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 PM at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville.
Funeral Mass will be 11 AM Wednesday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville.
Interment will follow at Lawrenceville City Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or Good Samaritan Hospice.