James Allen "Jim" Hile, 81, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 8:05 P.M. Thursday July 15, 2021, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.  He was born June 10, 1940, in Rockford, IL, the son of Claude and Irene (Saunders) Hile.  He married Darlene R. Garrity on February 28, 1976, in Chicago, IL.  She preceded him in death on March 17, 2009.

He is survived by several cousins and special friend, Jamie Fitzsimmons.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim worked for Chicago Western Indiana Railroad from 1959-1984.  He then went to work for Amtrak until his retirement in 2002.  He was a member of the Danville Chapter Railroad Museum and enjoyed volunteering his time at the Rossville Railroad Museum.  He enjoyed visiting his aunt who lived in Fort Madison, IA and while there he enjoyed watching the trains cross the Mississippi River bridge and the barges going through the bridge swing span.  When home in Hoopeston, Jim enjoyed watching Traveling Trains on his computer and old Western movies on television.  He also enjoyed going out to eat with his friend, Jamie.  Jim will be missed by all who knew him.

A private graveside service and burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison, IA.

Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Hile family.