James E. Gidlund Sr., age 86, began his heavenly journey on Saturday, September 1, 2018 in the wee hours of the morning. Jim's family thanks all the personnel that supported him and all the veterans living at the Illinois Veteran's Home in Manteno. Additional gratefulness is extended to Kankakee Valley Hospice for their care and kindness of Jim during his journey. Son. Brother. Cousin. Student. Sailor. Machinists Mate. Father. Carpenter. Uncle. Godfather. Scuba Diver. Police Officer. Contractor. Restaurateur. Investor. Pilot. Inventor. Remodeler. Staunch Republican. Lieutenant Commander. Etc. Etc. Etc… Jim made his mark while surrounded by a large family and many devoted friends. "I had the greatest life!" J.E. Gidlund Sr. Jim considered his mother to be an angel and his father to be the smartest man he knew; the late Evert and Mary (Van Eyck) Gidlund. "You only have one mother and one father." J.E. Gidlund Sr. Brother of late Maryann Musil, (the late Leonard), Ron Gidlund (Phyllis), Thomas (Lori) Gidlund, Paul Gidlund (Jo Ann), the late Elaine Gidlund and Kathleen Talbert. Father of Linda Gidlund (the late Bernie Willett), Barbara (Ron) Fabbi, Jayne (Pat) Miner, Cynthia (Richard) Crouse, Jamie (Al) Delapena, James Gidlund Jr (Carol) and Tara Gidlund. Grandfather of Ronald (Rachel), Lukas (Shawna), Maria (Ryan), Nathan (Dorothy), Pat Miner Jr (Jessica), Megan, Leslie (Trevor), Richard (Beth), Thomas (Shayla), Jonathan, Nesime (Robert), Mehmet, Jeannette, Doyle, James III and Joshua (Denise). Great Grandfather of Hudson, Lukas, Sawyer, Vincent, Maverick, Ginger, Francesca, Evie Reith, Giada, Isabella, Lucrezia, Sierra, Kylie, Caileigh, Liberty, Tegan, Lilli, Toni, Kyndall, Cassie, Richard, Amelia, Melinda, Anthony, Christopher, Thomas, Joseph, William, Desire, and Eddie. Visitation will be on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan, Illinois. Funeral service will also be on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 11:30 also at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois also on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 1:00 P.M.