James Wade Matheny, 60, of Milwaukee, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 at
Aurora St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee. He was born on June 13, 1949 in Fisher, IL
to Champ Clark and Dorothy Mae (Simpkins) Matheny. From the age of 6, Della and Nasby Spitser became his parents. In 1967, Jim graduated from Rochelle Township High School and then graduated from Aurora College in 1972, and received a Masters Degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, OH in 1974. He was the Chief Probation Officer for Lee County, IL and had worked there for a total of 17 years. Jim also worked for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve and was a Building Manager in Milwaukee, WI. Preceding him in death were his birth parents; sister Lola Armstrong, father: Nasby Spitser Jr., brother: Darrel E. Spitser and nephew: Travis Hepner.

Survivors include son: Chris (Deborah) Matheny of Neenah, WI; daughter: Lisa Matheny of Rockford, IL; mother: Della Mae Spitser of Rochelle, IL; 3 sisters: Mary (Roger) Smith of Kirkland, IL, Lela Woods of Sioux City, IA, and Lily Mitchell of Rochelle; sister: Judith (Don) Hepner of Aurora, IL; 5 grandchildren: Damario, Darius, Amaris, Grant and Jillian Matheny.

Memorials services will be Sat. Jan. 23, 2010 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., in Rochelle, IL at 11:00 AM with Rev. Brett Todd. A memorial has been established.