James "Jim" Allen Etes

February 13, 1942 – August 13, 2023 James "Jim" Allen Etes, 81, of Poplar Grove, IL. passed away on August 13, 2023, unexpectedly at home. Jim was born February 13, 1942, in Rockford, IL., the son of Donald and Mable (Traver) Etes. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Linda Guell, on June 9, 1963, at Poplar Grove Methodist Church. Jim and Linda celebrated 60 years of marriage this June with their family at Rock Cut State Park.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter Jennifer (Al) Tilford, of Poplar Grove, IL, and sons, Tim (Sherry) Etes, of Madison, WI, and Daniel (Amanda) Etes, of Mt. Pleasant, WI; grandchildren, Alex (Taisha) Tilford, Shelby (Jordan) Perez, Samuel (Jade) Etes, Amanda (Josh) Stefanick, Gabrielle Etes, August "Gus" Etes, Nathan Etes, and George Etes; and great-grandchildren, Taiylor Calhoun, Cohner Yust, Tinley Yust, and Cailey Tilford.

Jim graduated from North Boone High School in 1960 and Moler Barber College, Chicago, in 1962. He was a Barber for 52 years, starting in Rockford, then opening Jim's Barber Shop in Capron, and later, Machesney Park. Jim and Linda were also the former owners of Poplar Grove Secured Storage for nearly 20 years. In addition, he was a lifetime member and former Board member of the Poplar Grove Methodist Church, a Poplar Grove Village Trustee, North Boone School Board Member and President. Throughout the years he was a Realtor and stepped away briefly from his chosen profession as Barber to work at Chrysler, Warner Lambert, and Barber Coleman, soon finding his way back to his true vocational calling.

Jim had a passion for collecting classic cars and antique tractors. He co-founded the Father's Day Weekend Car Show at the Boone County Fairgrounds and later revived it as the Lensing Classic Car Show. Jim was also a founding member of the NIVTEA Tractor Club, where he also served on their Board. In addition to his work and hobbies, he served as a Cub Scout Master, played Santa Claus at schools and throughout the community for many years, and was an avid Packers fan. Jim and Linda enjoyed going to Packers games, road trips, traveling the United States, and going on cruises together.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Mable; father, Donald; older brother Donald; his younger sister, Patricia (Oman); and great grandson, Cooper Tilford. Jim will be fondly remembered for being a Barber Shop jokester, consummate storyteller, the "go to guy" whenever someone needed help or a volunteer, and master of mashed potatoes at family gatherings.

A visitation for James will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, August 21, 2023, at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Poplar Grove United Methodist, located at 105 E Grove Street, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. Burial to follow at Poplar Grove Cemetery.