James Van Dyne | 82 | Pleasant Hill
James Van Dyne of rural Pleasant Hill, IL passed away Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2026 at home. Jim had recently celebrated his 82nd birthday on Dec. 31st with his family.
Jim was born Dec. 31, 1943 in Ovid, MI, son of J. Oliver and Ilien (Bloom) Van Dyne. He married Sharon Wineland on Oct. 8, 1972 in Pleasant Hill, IL and she survives.
Jim graduated from Ovid High School in 1962 and graduated from Michigan State University from the Agriculture Short-Course program in 1964. He also received the American FFA Degree. He met Sharon while she was working at Michigan State University, and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage.
Jim was a fifth-generation dairy farmer in Michigan. He moved to Illinois in 1977 and has been a grain and livestock farmer since then. He was recognizable by his grin and a big wave.
Jim was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, attending both Middlebury United Methodist Church in Michigan and then Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where he served many years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
In his younger years, he was a board member of Shiawassee Farm Bureau. After moving to Illinois, he served on the boards of Pike County Farm Bureau for over 40 years, Pleasant Hill Fire Department for over 30 years, and FS for many years.
He loved spending time with family and friends, telling stories, and enjoying all kinds of driving – on vacation to forty-eight continental states, to kids’ and grandkids’ activities, and substitute bus driving whenever the Pleasant Hill school district needed a driver.
Survivors include four children, Jenna (Dusty) Morrow, Brianna (Dan) Heim, Jill (Travis Surridge) Van Dyne, and Benjamin (Jennifer) Van Dyne, eight grandchildren, Tegan, Tristan, and Ethan Morrow, Alaina and Colton Heim, Amber (Nick) Koetters, Tyler and Brody Van Dyne, great-grandson Grayson Koetters, sister Susan (Tom) McNutt, sisters-in-law Sylvia (Bob) Frank and Sue Wineland, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents J. Oliver and Ilien Van Dyne and in-laws Norman and Catherine Wineland.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill, conducted by Pastor JoAnn Ruff. Burial will follow at Poor Cemetery, south of Belleview. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, Jan. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lummis Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Poor Cemetery, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, or Pleasant Hill Fire Department.
Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill is handling the arrangements.
