It is with deep regret the Pesotum Fire Department announces the death of Lieutenant Jim Black. Jim passed away on March 18th after a long struggle with cancer. He had served on the Pesotum Fire Dept since 1993. Before that, he had also been a member of Sadorus, Tolono and Ivesdale fire departments. He will be missed by many.

Obituary Guest Book

James R. Black, 41, of Pesotum passed away at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2007, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tolono, with Rev. Mark Meridian officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Pesotum. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Freese Funeral Home, Tolono. The rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Black was born July 19, 1965, in Urbana, a son to Ralph and Edith Engles Black. He married Rita Richardson on Aug. 26, 1995, in Pesotum. She survives.

Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Denise Richardson of Pesotum; two brothers, Rick Black of Sadorus and Tim Black of Pesotum; nine sisters, Linda Henry of Pesotum, Barb Gramley of Rantoul, Donna Musson of Dewey, Pat Richardson of Sadorus, Debbie Ridinger of Rantoul, Cathy Burton of Champaign, Janet Black of Bondville, Mary Black of Urbana and Jean Henson of Sadorus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson.

He was employed at Champaign County Sheriff's Office as a correctional officer for seven years. He was a member of Pesotum Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Provena Covenant Hospice.