James E. Barden Sr. of Urbana died at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehab Center, Savoy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana, Rev. Steve Brady will officiate. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana. Military rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Barden was born on March 27, 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of James Preston and Flossie Rogers Barden. He married Mary Ellen Gentille on June 12, 1946 in Champaign; she died on October 9, 1989. He then married Bernice Skinner on March 24, 1990 in Champaign; she survives.

Also surviving are six children; Peggy Kirby of Jacksonville, Florida, Roberta (Chuck) Evans of Keystone Heights, Florida, Nancy (Roger) Dalton of Champaign, James (Beverly) Barden Jr. of Urbana, Donald Barden of Cobden and Brenda (Jerry) Baumgartner of Urbana, one brother; John Barden of Birmingham, Alabama and one sister; Sue Fuller of Birmingham, Alabama, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Mr. Barden was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of WW II. He attended Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Mr. Barden retired from the University of Illinois Police Dept. He served as an interim pastor for one year. He was a member of Unity Baptist Church, Champaign, Champaign County Radio Control Club, American Legion Post 71 of Urbana and VFW of Urbana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors or Alzheimer's Association.