Obituary of Jim VanNattan

James E. VanNattan, 78, of Carlinville, IL, passed away on Thursday morning, October 17, 2024, at Sunrise Skilled Care in Virden, IL. Born on July 21, 1946, in Peoria, IL, Jim was a son of Kenneth Daniel and Mildred Evelyn (Cox) VanNattan. Jim and his family moved to Morton, IL, where he went to school from kindergarten through high school, graduating with the class of 1964. From there, he went on to Illinois State University, where he still holds a track record and received his degree in Business Education. Jim married Martha "Sue" Shannon in 1970 in Morton, IL. In 1968, he came to Carlinville as a brand-new teacher at the high school. He spent his career teaching Business Law, Typing, Accounting I and II, General Business, and was the first to teach the brave new world of computer classes, including programming and several computer languages. He also taught some Adult Education night classes at CHS and several night classes at Lewis and Clark College. Teaching was a joy for Jim, and he loved his students, retiring from teaching in 2001. Jim was an avid reader and enjoyed working in his vegetable garden as well as traveling with his wife, Sue, to Teddy Bear Artist shows all over the country, where they met friends from across the country and around the world. Most of all, Jim loved his daughter, Sarah, and was delighted to help foster her love and talent for music, beginning with piano at age four. After Sarah graduated from CHS, she continued her education and began teaching the year Jim retired, continuing his love of teaching and music, making Jim enormously proud. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister; Sharon Rhoades, brother; Kenneth Van Nattan, brother-in-law; Gene Rhoades, and brother-in -law; Jay Hall. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, 1:30 pm, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, IL. Jim is survived by his wife; Sue VanNattan of Carlinville, IL, daughter; Sarah Giordano-Koppel (Joe Koppel) of Westmont, IL, sister-in-law; Connie VanNattan of Monett, MO, sister; Mary Hall of Pekin, IL, and several nieces and nephews. Jim had a great love for animals as well and would appreciate memorials made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Adoption Center or to Carlinville Public Library. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, IL, is in charge of arrangements.