James L. Ranney

James L. Ranney, 83, of East Peoria, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on October 19, 1938, in East Peoria, to James E. and Helen (Sperry) Ranney. He married his wife of 58 years, Sandra Ruth Pfeiffer on December 29, 1963, in Ashton; she survives. Jim was dedicated to many things, but his greatest love was his family--his son, James (Mindi) Ranney of Baltimore; five grandchildren, Zachary, Joshua, Nicole, Paige, and James “Max”; and his brother, Bill (Peggy) Ranney of Anaheim, CA, who are left to honor his memory. It broke Jim’s heart when he lost his daughter, Christine, on November 18, 2021. He loved to be out and about. Whether he was attending the Indy 500, which he did for over 40 years, attending a Bradley basketball, Bears, or Cubs game, or golfing with his buddies, Jim loved spending time with his friends. Jim graduated from EPCHS Class of 1956. In 1962, he earned a degree in biology at Eureka College and began his career in education as a science teacher and coach at Ashton Westview Jr. High School. Then, while teaching at Woodruff High School in 1964, he went back to Bradley University and received his Masters in Guidance and Counseling. In 1970, he earned his PhD in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University, where he was awarded the Raymond Foster Memorial Scholarship, and went on to work for the Troy Community Consolidated School District in Joliet as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Research, and Title Project and as Junior High Principal. In 1972, he was named an Outstanding Young Man in America by the Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity for Men in Education. He moved back to the area to become the Director of Elementary Curriculum for Peoria Public Schools in 1973, where he worked until he retired in 1993. As a proud resident of East Peoria, Jim took great pride in being involved in the community. His service began in 1975, when he became the Commissioner of Public Property for the City of East Peoria, a board member for the Tri-County Planning Commission, and a member of the East Peoria Kiwanis Club and Bicentennial Commission. In 1979, he was elected Mayor of East Peoria; a position he proudly held until 1987. During his time as Mayor, he served as the Chairman of the Tri-County Mayor’s Association and was a member of several local groups, including the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-County Economic Development Council, where he served as an Executive Committee Member for 3 years, the Route 121 Task Force, Central Illinois Alcoholism Council, Big Brother/Big Sister, Peoria Lake/Illinois River Study Advisory Committee, the Eighteenth District Congressional Award Council, Peoria Area Volunteer Fire Prevention Advisory Council, Women Strength Sexual Assault Advisory Committee, Tri-County Tomorrow Steering Committee, and the United Way Home Health Care Task Force. He was recognized in Who’s Who in America in 1983 and the Directory of Distinguished Americans in 1984. In 1985, one of his greatest achievements as Mayor was starting the Festival of Lights Parade. In recognition of his years of dedication to the community, Jim was named the East Peoria Citizen of the Year in 1986. In 1987, he was honored as the Tri-County Citizen of the Year and was also awarded the Eureka College Alumni Award of Merit. The City of East Peoria honored Jim by naming the Public Service Building after him. Jim was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Sigma Zeta Science Honorary Society, International Reading Association, Illinois Reading Association, National Council of Teaching of English, and a past member of Illinois Association of Supervision & Development and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He was a longtime member of University United Methodist Church in Peoria. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services in East Peoria. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2022, with an additional half-hour of visitation prior to the service at 9:30 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. The Funeral Service will be live streamed on https://www.facebook.com/deiterseastpeoria/. Memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church or Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF). Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

James L. Ranney

October 19, 1938 - August 29, 2022