James C. Mosher

James Courtney Mosher, 89, ROCKFORD - James Mosher died peacefully Monday, October 11, 2010. He was born June 18, 1921 in Princeton, IL. Jim was raised on the family farm just north of Wyanet, IL and attended a one room grade school. He graduated from Wyanet High School, where he participated in a variety of sports including football, track and tennis. He played the coronet in several bands in high school and college, and was an accomplished pianist. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Illinois in 1943 with a BA in History. Jim met his future bride in dancing class at the U of Ill. He was drafted into the US Army during WWII and served 4 ½ years as an aircraft radar instructor and repairman. On furlough from the army, on April 16, 1944, he wed his dancing partner Hazel Cusick of Gibson City, IL. They were married for 64 years. After the war, he attended the University of Chicago, graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1949.Jim worked for the Economy Fire and Casualty Company in Freeport, IL for 35 years. He retired in 1984 as head of the firm's legal department. He served 4 years on the Freeport School Board, 1 year on the Freeport Community College Board (now Highland), and as member of the Freeport Junior Chamber of Commerce. He chaired two local committees that were formed support the amendment of the Illinois constitution; and chaired a successful effort to fluoridate the Freeport water supply. After Jim retired, he and his wife moved to Rockford, IL. They spent several years traveling in the US and Canada in their motor home. Jim was a member of 2 nd Congregational United Church of Christ and the Economy's 25-year club. Jim is predeceased by his parents, John Glenn and Jennie Hammond Mosher, his wife Hazel in 2008, and his older brother John Glenn Mosher, Jr. He is survived by daughters, Marsha (Larry) Ackerman of Rockford, Dr. Sharon Mosher (husband, Dr. Mark Helper) of Austin, TX; sister-in-law, Helen (Fred) Hicks; grandchildren Mark (Carol) Ackerman, Amy (David) Wisniewski, Jennifer (Tony) Maltry, Sarah Helper and Lisa Helper; great-grandchildren, Jacob Reisinger, Allison Ackerman, Paige Kaufman, Alexandra and Sarah Wisniewski; step-great-grandchildren, Brandee and Alexandra Maltry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108 with Rev. Fred Krauss officiating. Burial will be private in Wyanet, IL. Visitation will be held from 10am until time of service at the funeral home. Memorials requested to the American Lung Association.