- Date Of Birth: January 27, 1926
- Date Of Death: June 24, 2018
- State: Illinois
James “Jim” Koehler, 92, of Peru passed away on June 24, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. Mr. Koehler was married to Ann “Margaret” Brown for 63 years until her passing in March 2012. Jim was the eldest son of the late George “Jim” and Christine (Banko) Koehler.
Mr. Koehler graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School and served in the U.S. Navy in WWII as a Machinist Mate aboard the USS Jack C. Robinson APD 72 destroyer escorting LSTs. Jim played semi-professional baseball as a Southpaw (pitcher), travelling the country playing for the 1946 Fayetteville Cubs of the Coastal Plain League, a Chicago Cubs affiliate, and locally for the Peru Merchants and Young-Snyder teams of the Illinois Valley league. Known as the Crazy Lefthander, many sports articles were written about his exceptional pitching skills, including his honeymoon win over rival league Ladd.
Jim was the third generation owner of Koehler’s Painting and Wallpaper Contracting and took great pride in building a business based on loyal customers working in many of the beautiful homes, churches and businesses in the Illinois Valley area. Mr. Koehler was also a Peru fireman for 25 years.Duck hunting until age 91, Mr. Koehler was a lifelong hunter and fisherman passing those interests and appreciation for nature on to his children and grandchildren. Jim was a member of the four-generation Koehler Decoy Carving Family, carving and painting hundreds of decoys carved by his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncles, which today are highly sought after among decoy collectors. Jim also designed and hand-made duck hunting skiffs for high profile national hunters who hunted along the Illinois Flyway. He was a former co-owner of the Peru Wing Shooters’ Duck Club and of late, a member of Split Rock Gun Club. He was an avid environmentalist and conservationist.Through the years he constructed and installed hundreds of blue bird boxes along our local marshes, rivers and lakes. His family and friends will have fond memories of hunting and fishing with Jim and attending his fish-fries.
Mr. Koehler is survived by his children, Mary Koehler of Montgomery, Robert Koehler of LaSalle, Lynn Bernabei of Peru, Jim (Gada) Koehler of Pennsylvania and Barbara Koehler (Roman) Mica of Colorado. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Marc (Shelly) Davison, Michael (Katie) Bernabei, Marianne (Bill) Pyszka, Erica (Eli) McGraw, Christopher Koehler, Raquel (Doug) Uyeda, Kurt Koehler and Tomas Mica; seven great-grandchildren, Jessica and Kyle Davison, William, Vivianne and Olivia Pyszka and Cooper and Chloe Bernabei; his brothers, Kent (Linda) Koehler of Peru and Richard “Speck” (Betty) Koehler of New Mexico and one sister-in-law, Helen Koehler of Peru. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; one son, Thom Koehler (Ms. Dale Arrington Koehler); his parents and one brother, Merle Koehler.
