- Date Of Birth: February 24, 1927
- Date Of Death: March 16, 2021
- State: Illinois
Jimmie A. Warfield, 94, of Salem, Illinois passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Twin Willow Nursing home in Salem with his daughter by his side.
Born February 24, 1927 in Carrier Mills, IL, he was the son of John and Dimple (Rains) Warfield.
A very active businessman in Salem, he was President of Warfield Oil Company, and Warfield-Beeson Tire, Inc. After graduating Harrisburg Township High School in 1945, he entered the United State Army, serving in W.W. II. On his return, he met his wife Jean, the love of his life. He started working for First Bank in Mt. Vernon, followed by employment at Gulf Oil Co. In 1954, his Uncle Earl Warfield established Warfield Oil Co. in Salem. In 1957, Earl established Community State Bank, Jimmie, along with Jean bought Warfield Oil Co. and moved to Salem, living there until his death. He was determined to do everything possible to help Salem prosper. He and business partner Billy Shinn purchased and donated to the City of Salem the property that is today Kinney Blvd. He bought and invested in interstate property, owned the Salem Motel which is now the location of the I-57 overpass, and invested in twenty nine Texaco Gas stations until 1980 when they became Mobil Oil Co. He held membership in the Masonic Lodge in Harrisburg, the Salem Shrine Club, Salem Elks Club, and the Mt. Vernon AmVets. He was also a former member of the Salem Country Club, the Salem Moose Lodge, the Salem Lions Club and served as a Salem Police Commissioner for 27 years. He was of the Christian faith and attended Salem Lutheran Church.
He married Jean Davis, August 9, 1951 in Cypress, IL and she preceded him in death January 29, 2006.
Surviving are his daughter, Kimberlee Reynolds and husband Roger, and Kellee Bolton both of Salem, along with grandchildren Capt. Aaron Bolton and wife Dr. Rayla Bolton of Salem, IL stationed in England, Ashley Bolton of Salem, Ty and Madison Reynolds of Salem. Also bonus grandchildren, Nicholas Reynolds and friend Abby Wilson of Salem, Morgan Reynolds and fiancée Charlie Pennington of Salem, and great grandson, Kasen Harris of Salem.
Also left to mourn his passing is a special niece Gayla Gaston and husband Jim and nephew Mike Davis, both of of Salem, IL, Brenda (Bill) Rendleman of Mt. Vernon, IL, Linda (Mel) Bickel of Collinsville, IL and Cindy (Steve) Brady of Arkansas, and a cousin, Raymond (Alice) Warfield of Crystal Lake, IL along with many great and great great nieces and nephews, and his special care-giver, Polly Tolliver of Salem.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ollie Belle Ridley, November 21, 2020.
