James Edward Fennell

James Edward Fennell, 71, suffered a massive heart attack in St. Louis, MO, and passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, on January 12, 2024. Jim was born December 20, 1952, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Quincy, IL, to William Wayne Fennell (1910-2005) & Cecelia Lillian Fennell (1915-2003).

Jim grew up on the family farm near New Salem, IL. After attending Barry Elementary and High School, he graduated from Quincy College in 1974 with a degree in Chemistry and a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1979. After working briefly in Rockford, IL, Jim moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he married Susan Michelle Wilson of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and opened two veterinary clinics, both for small and large animals. To that union two sons were born, Matthew James in 1984 and Alex James in 1985. The couple divorced and James returned to Illinois and lived on the family farm with his father and then with his mother. In 2004, Jim moved to St. Louis and lived there the rest of his life, operating a small business out of his house.

Survivors include his older sister, Susan Tierney, of Phoenix, AZ; two sons, Matthew and Alex, both of Pleasant Prairie, WI; and his ex-wife, Susan Fennell of Pleasant Prairie, WI. Jim was preceded in death by his father; his mother; his brother, William Gregory Fennell; and a sister, Patricia Fennell Birdsall.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pittsfield, IL with interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery in Barry, IL. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with Rosary at 7:30 PM at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Memorials are suggested to be made to Quincy University, Pike County Animal Shelter or Quincy Humane Society. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Edward Fennell, please visit our floral store.