James David "Jim" Pawlisa

James David “Jim” Pawlisa, age 80, of Central City, Illinois, passed away at 2:46 P.M. on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was born on December 26, 1937, in Central City, Illinois, the son of the late August and Pauline (Amidei) Pawlisa.  He married Victoria “Vicki” Burge on August 1, 1969, in Centralia, Illinois, and she preceded him in death on December 1, 2005.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Tara Pawlisa Finckbone of Centralia, Illinois and Julie Madding and husband Van of Catalina Island, California; grandchildren, Holly Wilms, Hunter Madding, Zach Madding and Madelynn Finckbone; special grandchildren, Drake Niepoetter and Seth Niepoetter; 2 great grandchildren; brothers, Tom Pawlisa and wife Pat of Central City, Illinois, Augie Pawlisa and wife Carol of Central City, Illinois and Mike Pawlisa of Central City, Illinois; sisters, Joan Hoffman of Central City, Illinois and Gayle Ziegler of Champaign, Illinois; many nephews and nieces, including special niece Lorie Hasse; great nephews and great nieces; cousins and special friend, Kay Repolge.

In addition to his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Scott Pawlisa and Brian Pawlisa and brother, Richard “Dick” Pawlisa.

Jim grew up in Central City, Illinois and graduated with Centralia Township High School’s Class of 1955.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army proudly serving his country as a paratrooper in the 101^st Air Borne Division.  Jim retired in 1999 as a nighttime warehouse manager for Coca Cola Distributors in Centralia, Illinois, after 30 years of service.  He lived most of his life in Central City, Illinois. 

Jim and his brothers would visit their sister Joan’s home every morning for coffee and then the brothers would take a ride together.  He was an avid collector of Coca Cola memorabilia.  He loved to cook, fish and go squirrel hunting.  He enjoyed sitting in the comfort of his home and watch T.V., especially The Young & The Restless and the St. Louis Cardinals games.  He liked keeping active by doing word searches. He cherished the time he spent with his family

A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. James David “Jim” Pawlisa will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois, with Pastor Ashley Olinger officiating.  Interment will follow at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Central City, Illinois, with Military honors accorded by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055. 

Friends are invited to meet with Mr. Pawlisa’s family from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Pawlisa’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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