James M. Anderson, 82 of Aledo, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, May 10, at First Baptist Church, Aledo, IL. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Private burial will be in Candor Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Aledo, the Mercer County Music Boosters, or the Mercer County Athletic Boosters.
James (Jim/Andy) M. Anderson was born on September 29, 1941, in Aledo, to Russell and Frances Anderson. He married Joanne Castor on September 20, 1964, in Aledo.
Jim graduated from Aledo High School, Class of 1960, where he met the love of his life, Joanne. He attended Parsons College in Fairfield, IA, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Jim was co-owner of Farmer’s Grain and Coal in Aledo for over 20 years and in his desire to make a positive change in the world, he ran for U.S. Congress in 1994. Although he was not elected, during his campaign he made a great impact including signing the Contract with America while in Washington, DC. Following the campaign, he became a salesman for Essig Motors where he was actively working until his passing. He was there for 30 years. He enjoyed going to work every day and interacting with the community and his many customers.
Jim devoted his life to his family, his favorite place was at home on the family farm with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was always present at their events and their biggest cheerleader. He raised them to be avid St. Louis Cardinal fans (GO CARDS!) and superior morel hunters. He and Joanne enjoyed going to Florida and hunting shark’s teeth on the beach. In his earlier years, he was a famous snowmobile pit man along with his brother, known in the area as the Deal Bros. Polaris Racing team.
Jim was active in his community for many years including serving as President of Kiwanis and Superintendent of the Jr. Beef Department at the Mercer County Fair. He also coordinated a family wrangle to gather frogs for Dr. Ford’s 4th of July Frog Race for many years with proceeds benefiting the Aledo Exchange Club. Jim actively attended First Baptist Church Aledo.
Those left to cherish Jim’s memory include his wife, Joanne; daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Jack Sheese, Pam and Kevin Ricke, Lisa and Doug Price, all of Aledo, and Tara and Sean Battles of Ballwin, MO; grandchildren, Alexandra Ricke, Kathryn Ricke, Jonathon (Lindsay) Ricke, Jordan Sheese, Noah Price, Ethan Price, Emerson Price, James Battles, and Helena Battles, as well as three great-grandchildren; brother, Gary Anderson, of Aledo; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Vance and Janet Castor. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Eugene and Helen Castor; sister-in-law, Carol Anderson; and brother-in-law, Gary Castor.