James David Numbers

James David Numbers, 89 of Loves Park, IL went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 15, 2023.  Born December 5, 1933 in Monmouth, IL, the son of Harry and Winifred Numbers (English).  He graduated from Kirkwood Highschool and worked at the family restaurant (White Mill) before traveling west. In 1957, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service as Foreman of the Campground Care and Policing crew near Arrowbear Lake, CA.  He also worked as a volunteer with the Corps of Engineers fighting forest fires.  In 1960 to 1962 he attended Minnesota Bible College and left to help in his father’s hearing aid business in Davenport, IA where he was introduced to his future bride.  

In 1963 he married the love of his life, Deloris (Straub) Numbers and returned to Palm Springs California working as Manager of the Ocotillo Apartments and house painting for movie stars such as Lawrence Welk and Rhonda Fleming.  After a couple years, they returned to Monmouth, Il where he was employed by Gambles Warehouse.  They raised three children as members of the First Church of the Nazarene and often took weekend substitute ministry positions in various locations after obtaining a preacher’s license in 1976. In 1985, James and Deloris moved to the Rockford region. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and loved to watch Westerns and the Medicine Woman series.

Survivors include his wife, Deloris; siblings: Sheryl (Jim) Pierce), Larry Numbers; Daughters: Rhonda (Richard) Russell, Jeannine (Brian) Hedges; Son:  Kevin Numbers; 4 grandchildren: Scott (Chelsea) Hedges, Laura (Sean) Scanlan, Melinda (Jaime) Downs, Michelle (Patrick) Stiles; 4 great grandchildren: Lila, Graysen and Brennan, and Arlo; Multiple nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by sisters, Shirley (Edward) Mecum and Sharon Woodard; parents, Harry and Winifred.

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