James “Jim” Frederick Nuelle, 89, of Taylorville, IL, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his home.
Jim was born on September 19, 1936, in Princeton, IL into the loving family of Richard and Mary (Waite) Nuelle. He was the second oldest of his four siblings and grew up in Tampico, IL, where he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track for Tampico High School. He was also the sole tuba player in the marching band, and so performed at halftime in his football pads. He grew up working hard on family farms and often spoke fondly about working for a dairy making cheese. He attended Western Illinois University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts. He later obtained his Master’s degree in Special Education Administration from Illinois State University. He met his future wife, Karen L. McConnaughay, while they were both working at Dixon State School and they later married on August 23, 1958, at First Methodist Church in Dixon, IL.
Caring for others was who Jim was and he demonstrated this throughout his life and career. Jim served as the Director of Special Education for Mid-State Special Education. His children often found him very early in the morning with his daily Bible reading and study. He had a true personal relationship with Our Saviour and the Beatitudes were his guide in his personal and professional life. He was a long-standing member of Taylorville Christian Church, where he was an Elder and loved singing in the choir. He volunteered as a youth group leader, Sunday School teacher and served on the building committee for both the church and school. Jim was an excellent and patient teacher in so many different areas of expertise. Many students (and teachers) benefitted from his proven wisdom over the years. He was also the first principal of Vision Way Christian School, which he helped found.
Jim enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball and basketball and cheering on his daughter as she performed in high school plays or sang in church. He put his children first and was ever present for them. Once, in the backyard, he tried to teach proper football blocking techniques to his sons until one of the helmets cut the bridge of his nose and broke his glasses. His family loved playing with him, especially when he joined directly in our games. He could throw an impressive knuckle-ball.
Jim was an “un-official official” at all sporting events, live or televised. He never got a call wrong, but according to Jim, the actual officials rarely got a call right! He knew Big Ten basketball officials by name and knew before the game started how they would “stack the deck” against the Illini from the opening whistle.
Both he and Karen loved to play golf together and spent many summers at Lakeshore Golf Course. He continued to play each week with his men’s group well into his eighties and particularly enjoyed teeing off from the Senior tees.
Jim also served on the Taylorville Park Board and School Board, the Christian County Mental Health Board, Loving Arms Board, and the Taylorville Zoning Committee. He was a die-hard Cubs fan, a long suffering Bears fan, and bled orange and blue supporting the Fighting Illini.
Jim was a master craftsman and woodworker and built beautiful furniture for his home, his children, his church, and for friends in the community. He was a perfectionist where it counted, and made sure his pieces met his high standard before they left his workshop. His children learned directly and gently from him about what quality means to craftsmen and artists. Many of his pieces, large and small, will last for generations. He often worked on projects with close friends Arnie Hilliard, Jon Davis, Charlie Kuntzman and many others. These projects brought him deep joy, as did the many friendships he developed and fostered while working with so many after he fully retired in 1993.
Jim is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Karen Nuelle of Taylorville; his children Jon (Rebecca) Nuelle of Lubbock, TX, Todd (Kathy) Nuelle of Mt. Prospect, IL, and Sara (Patrick) Ganey of Fishers, IN; grandchildren, Carolyn (Mitch) Van Laar, Kate Nuelle, Jack (Nina) Nuelle, Olivia (Dave) Griffin, Audrey, Jill, Michael and Tommy Nuelle, Maggie (Juan) Tola, James (Gail) Ganey, Sean and Mary Rose Ganey; three great-granddaughters; three sisters, Mary Anne Batten and Kathy (Mel) Johnson of Sterling, IL, and Dorothy McCracken of Wyanet, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Joseph R. Ganey; and a brother, Jack Nuelle.
His Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 N. Webster St., Taylorville, IL, with Rev. James Jones officiating. Visitation will immediately follow the Celebration of Life until 12 noon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 N. Webster St., Taylorville, IL, 62568; Vision Way Christian School, 1124 N. Webster St., Taylorville, IL 62568; or Quad County Hospice, 8 Huber Street, Pana, IL 62557.
Sutton Memorial Home is honored to be serving the family.
