James Lee Galyen

James Lee Galyen (Jim) ,78, passed away on Friday, January 10th, 2025, at the VA Illiana Independence Home in Danville, Illinois after a long battle with colon cancer. 

Born on February 10, 1946, to his parents Paul and Rosetta (Moore) Galyen at Danville Hospital in Danville, Illinois.

Jim married his wife Janie of 54 years on January 23,1970. 

They have one son Daniel, wife Nancy of Champaign, Illinois.

Jim is a Vietnam Veteran and served his country from June of 1964-67.

He was very honored to have led a Boy Scout troop and coached many years as a youth baseball and football coach. 

He refereed high school football, baseball and basketball games for 35 yrs for the many kids of Georgetown and Vermilion County.  Jim was a avid sports fan, loved watching the Illini play. He also loved the Chicago Bears. One thing he enjoyed was watching the young people in his life play the sport they enjoyed and being there with words of encouragement and support to make each of them better. 

Jim worked at Hyster for 19 years and retired from Danville Metal Stamping in 2010 where he was Union steward. 

Jim was one of ten brothers and sisters: Bill/Claudia of Vacaville, California, Connie/Clyde Morden of St Anne, Illinois, Sally/Johnny Grubb of Westville, Sandy/Ron Hart of Idaho, Carol Galyen of Danville, Judy/Danny Hammond of Cattletsburg, Ky, Don/Judy Galyen of Danville, Bob Galyen of South Carolina and Pam/Bob DePratt of Fairmount. He loved his grand dog FINN!! He had numerous special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends too numerous to mention. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-Bob and Bill and sisters Connie Morden, Sally Grubb and Sandy Hart.

He would like to thank everyone at the VA Independence Home, Carle Oncology nursing staff, Dr Vaserredy and the many nurses over the 7 1/2 years that helped him battle the cancer. He wants to thank two very special oncology nurses Michele and Chris that helped him through his cancer from beginning to end and put up with all of his pranks.

 Visitation will be Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Georgetown Fair Banquet Center, Georgetown Fairgrounds. A service will be at 11:00am Thursday, January 16th, 2025, at the same venue Georgetown Fair Banquet Center at the Georgetown Fairgrounds. 413 N Seminary Street, Georgetown IL 61846. Jim has requested to be cremated and with the assistance of Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown, Illinois, rights will be accorded. Jim will be buried at the National Cemetery, Danville, Illinois, with a private Military Honors ceremony at a later date. Please join Jim’s family in sharing memories, pictures and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com