James "Jim" Curtis

James John (Aloysius) Curtis went home on January 10th, 2026, at 82 years young, in his home of Lakeland, FL. Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois to Arthur and Caroline (Abbedietto) Curtis. Jim completed the tenth grade, then entered into the military where he dutifully served his country. After serving in the military, Jim entered into the workforce where he eventually met the love of his life, Sandra. On June 6th, 1968, Jim was married to Sandra Mae (Berger) Burke and her three children, which he adopted and raised as his own. Their union created two additional children for a total of five, which they raised in Elmhurst, Illinois. Jim worked for a long period of time for the local Cemetery Labors Union 747 and Yorktown Center where, every year, he would joyfully play the role of Santa Claus. Jim also gave back to his community by serving as a volunteer fire fighter for the Yorkfield Fire Department. Jim had a fantastic sense of humor, and he could spin tales that were very convincing…you never knew if the story was real or not! He could also fix ANYTHING, since he was the king of rigging things to make them work. Jim worked hard all his life for his family. After Sandra’s death, Jim moved to Lakeland, Florida where he lived an additional 5 years.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Sandra and son Robert (Therese, deceased) Curtis. He was also proceeded in death by his parents and siblings, Arthur, Leonard, Anna and Patricia, as well as his nephew Aaron and in-laws Fred and Doris Berger.

Jim is survived by his daughters Wendy (Steve) Wolf, Linda Curtis, Shawn Bingen, Alicia Wilson; Grandchildren Jason (Alexandria) Gamble, Amy (John) Ingo, Kristyn Dorney, Courtney Curtis, Candice (Noel) Hermosillo, Vincent (Ashley) Bingen, Jose Olvera III, Sarah, Lainie, Gavin and Nessa Wilson. He was also blessed with great grandchildren, Christian, Kira, Riley, Declan, Conner, Brayden, Leona and Isadora, as well as several very special nieces and nephews. Jim was loved dearly by his in-law family, Fred and Doris Berger as well as Karen and Herald Abcarian, who welcomed him with open arms.

Services will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland, Florida, on Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18 from 11:00 am to noon.

A memorial service will be held in Illinois at a later date.