Richard “Jim” J. Lannon Jr.

Richard “Jim” J. Lannon Jr., 89, of La Salle, passed away unexpectedly at home on September 29, 2023.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Friday in St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle with Rev. Ronald Margherio OSB and Very Rev. Thomas Otto officiating.  Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle with full military honors conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 PM Thursday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle and 10:00 AM Friday in the church until time of services.

Jim was born on May 5, 1934, in Springfield, Illinois, to Richard James Lannon and Anne (Malone) Lannon, and grew up in Saunemin, Illinois, along with five younger siblings. He married Valerie Sheridan on October 18, 1985, during the time of the Chicago Bears' winning season leading them to the Superbowl!

He graduated from Saunemin High School, received an accounting degree from the University of Illinois, worked as an accountant with Arthur Anderson for two years, and then decided to return to the University of Illinois to receive his law degree. While in college, he joined the ROTC and served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1956 to 1974.

After receiving graduating from law school, he went to work for George Herbolsheimer at the firm started his maternal grandfather, James Malone. The law firm grew and Jim became the managing partner until his appointment as a Circuit Judge.

He was the first president of the Illinois Valley United Fund, which he helped establish.  He was also in the first groups that started the Illinois Valley YMCA and the I.V. Racquet Club. Jim served on the board of directors for the State Bank of Saunemin from 1995 to 2022. Jim enjoyed playing bridge, racquet ball, golf and was a Chicago Bears fan.  He was past president of Deer Park Country Club.

Jim is survived by his wife Valerie of La Salle; seven children, Sharon (William) Dimond of Ten Mile, TN, Richard J. (Geralyn) Lannon III of Braintree, MA, Colleen (Don Seville) Lannon of Hartland, VT, Andrew (Cora) Lannon of Oviedo, FL, Tina Ritko of Austin, TX, Tricia (Richard) Holtz of Half Moon Bay, CA, and Tara (Jeff) Washkowiak of Oglesby; 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; one sister Catherine (Stephanie Clapp) Lannon of Tallahassee, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Thomas Leamy, two brothers, two sisters and his first wife Patricia Allen.

Pallbearers will be James Lannon IV, Luke Lannon, Vince Washkowiak, Owen Holtz, Joe Sheridan and John Sheridan. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Pappas, Jack Wayland, David Inman and Paul Sweeden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Bede Academy, La Salle Catholic Parish or Lighted Way.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard “Jim” J. Lannon Jr., please visit our floral store.