James Lee Chezem "Diamond Jim"

James Lee Chezem (Diamond Jim) 89 of Danville went to be with the Lord on November 7, 2025. Jim was born on January 4, 1936 in Edwardsville, IL the son of Max and Eva Chezem. His father moved the family to Danville when Jim was a young boy. Jim went to Collett Elementary and graduated from Danville High School. Jim also attended DACC for 2 years to further his education.

In 1954, Jim married Phyllis Manson and together they had two daughters. In 1985, Jim married Connie Webber and she survives.

While attending DACC, Jim worked at Esco in Danville. Jim then started to lease and run service stations in the local Danville area. In 1957 Jim started travelling as an independent salesman selling electrical maintenance supplies. After travelling across the country as a salesman, Jim went into business with Neils Nielson at Danville Tile and Sewer Pipe and ran this shop for many years. Jim was well known in the community and loved his job at the shop and worked with many local contractors and municipalities. After retiring from the tile business, Jim then went on to sell cars for JayBird Motors.

Jim was a Shriner and longtime Mason and member of the Eastern Illinois Shrine Club. He was a past president and very active in the club. Jim was also a member of the GAO Grotto and served as president of this club as well. Jim was a member of Ridgeview Baptist Church.

Diamond Jim had many hobbies and loves. He loved to cook and was very active in the community with his catering business and was in high demand. He pulled his portable custom cooker to many corporate events for Shriners, Hyster, Esco, TeePak, Bohn, Quaker Oats, and Kickapoo Runners just to name a few. Jim also loved his cars especially his Mercedes convertibles with his DIA JIM plate!!

Jim was loved dearly by his family and friends. Remaining to cherish Jim’s memory are his wife Connie Chezem, his sister Alice Hall, two daughters Bonnie Rosendale (Larry) of Florida and Janet Hollinger (Scott) of Virginia, two stepdaughters Kristy Conner of Danville and Karen Troglia (Darin) of Westville. Many nieces and nephews and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were blessed to call him grandpa.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Max and Eva Chezem, his brother Dean Chezem, his sister Donna Longer and his former wife Phylis Manson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Visitation will be held before the service on November 12, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s name to either the Shriners Club to help disabled children or the GAO Grotto.

Please join Jim’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.