John Edward Nimz, Jr., 68, of Champaign, died at 7:52 p.m. on Monday (June 3, 2013) at Piatt County Nursing Home, Monticello, after a long illness. He is remembered lovingly for his kindness, strength, guidance, sense of humor, and his dignity and grace under pressure. His family was his greatest joy, especially his grandchildren, who adored him.

John was born on February 14, 1945, in Watseka, Illinois. He graduated from Watseka High School in 1963. He received his B.S. degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in February 1968. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. After his military service, he joined his father's company, Nimz Transportation, as an office manager, until 1971. A few months later, he began a long career at Pre-Fab Transit in Farmer City (later PFT Roberson in Mahomet), in the IT department. He retired in 2005.

He loved the natural world and had visited and hiked most of the national parks and many provincial and state parks. He enjoyed gardening, photography, and household construction and repair projects. He was until recently a trail steward for the Champaign County Forest Preserve, helping to maintain a portion of the Buffalo Trace trail near Mahomet. He was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, serving as financial secretary and as a member of the board of stewardship. He participated in many other activities and projects over the years.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl; daughters Alison (Matthew) Allender of Monticello and Sara (John) Sullivan of Champaign; four grandsons (Cameron, Jack, Charley, and Sam); and one granddaughter (Abigail). Also surviving are his sisters Kimberly Shor of Palatine and Susan (Jon) Guimond of Kankakee; brothers Paul Nimz of Ashkum and Stuart Nimz of Watseka; two nieces; six nephews; several great nephews; and one great niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian (nee Forrest) and John Nimz, Sr., of Watseka, and a sister-in-law.

Visitation will be Sunday June 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1901 S. Philo Road, Urbana. The funeral service will begin Monday June 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 701 E. Florida, Urbana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parks Conservation Association, Trinity Lutheran Church, or an organization of the donor's choice.