Obituary for Jim Shults
Alfred “Jim” Shults 68, of Pekin passed away Saturday August 6, 2011 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born April 1, 1943 in Pekin, IL to Alfred E. and Betty J. Roberson Shults. He was preceded in death by his father in May 2011 and 1 brother; Michael Shults. He is survived by his mother, 2 daughters; Jami (David) Morrison of Pekin, Sarah (Dan Whittenburg) Shults of Peoria, 2 granddaughters; Jessica Morrison and Kaitlyn Morrison both of Pekin. He is also survived by 2 brothers; Steve Shults and Scott Shults both of Pekin. He graduated for Pekin Community High School in 1962. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966 he attended Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, his school of choice for technical training was at Chanute Air Force Base in IL, for the remainder of his service he was stationed at Minot Air Force Base in ND. After the Air Force he went to Houston Texas and started working at Johnson Space Center on July 11, 1966, he was there on July 20, 1969 when the first men landed on the moon. Jim was proud of one certificate he received, recognizing his “notable contribution to the success of the Apollo 11 mission first manned lunar landing, Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas, July 16-24, 1969.” He also received certificates of appreciation for his involvement with Apollo 7 and Apollo 8. When he returned to Pekin, IL he worked for Cohen Furniture Co. in Pekin, Aupperle Rental Center in Morton, and Caterpillar Inc where he retired in 2003. During the Caterpillar layoff in the early 80’s he owned and operated Wings & Wheels Hobby Shop in Pekin. He was a professor at Illinois Central College where he gave lectures and instruction on blue print reading and machinist. He was an Air Plane pilot of Cessna planes at the old Pekin Airport for leisure flights and for the Illinois Valley Parachute Club. He was a Captain with the Civil Air Patrol. He was one of the founding members of the Polish Coast Watchers, a member of the IPMS Model Club, and St. Louis Hobby Association. He was also a member of the Octave Chanute Aerospace Heritage Foundation, Mid-Illinois Computer Enthusiast, South Side Business Association, and Chamber of Commerce. He was the past President of Parents Without Partners. He was a huge fan of NASCAR, his favorite driver was Jeff Gordon. A funeral service will be held on Saturday August 13, 2011 at noon with a visitation 1 hour prior at Abts Mortuary in Pekin. Rev. Terry Edele will officiate. Cremation will be accorded following the services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to his granddaughters education fund.
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