James McCabe Obituary

James Gifford McCabe, 99, of Downers Grove passed away in hospice at Fairview Baptist Home on February 29, 2011. He was born June 26, 1911 to Granville and Elizabeth McCabe in Sedalia, Missouri. He had 3 sisters and a brother. He was married to Helen Wilborn on April 29, 1934 in the parsonage of the East Sedalia Baptist Church. Their relationship started when she was his study hall supervisor. He asked for permission to play horse shoes with his friends outside. She said yes, only if he would go with her to a church picnic. The rest is history. In 1939 they moved to LaGrange, where James began working for Electro-Motive in the engine test shop. In 1953 he was transferred to Fisher Body in Willow Springs where he retired in 1974. In 1940, James and Helen joined the First Baptist Church in LaGrange. He enjoyed play golf and cards, giving the kids haircuts, being an election judge and helping people with odd jobs. At the church he was always fixing things and he sang in the choir. You could hear him coming home from work because he liked to whistle. He is survived by his wife, Helen (77 years of marriage); and 5 children, Barb Fowler (Jim) Glen Arbor, MI, Jim McCabe (Judy) Louisville, KY, Ed McCabe (Laurie) Downers Grove, IL, Bill McCabe (Bronia Hertsberg) Estero, FL, and Patti Fey (Ed) Naperville, IL. He also had 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. A memorial service will be held at Fairview Village Chapel, 250 Village Drive, Downers Grove at 10 a.m. on April 23. All are invited to this celebration. Memorials may be made out to the First Baptist Church of LaGrange, International Ministries (on the memo line), 20 N. Ashland Ave., LaGrange, IL 60525. For more information, call 630-964-4478