James O. Voss

CHAMPAIGN, IL-   James O. Voss, 88, of Champaign, passed away at 2:25 AM, Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Willowbrook Memory Care of Savoy.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, with military rites performed by Urbana American Legion Post 71.

James was born November 8, 1932 in Columbia, TN, a son of James Alexander and Ethel Mai (Parker) Voss.  He married Beverly Schneider on May 8, 1979 in Danville, IL.  She survives.  Also surviving is a stepson, Chris Sandwell of Champaign; two nieces, Donalda Voss of Bloomington, IL and Cynthia(Richard) Cribbett of Urbana; a great nephew, Tony;  great nieces, Teresa, Becky, Jenny and Cristy;  great great nieces, Lexie, Mari, Kaylene and Brylie and sisters-in-law, Kathleen Schneider and Cindy(Les) Johnson. 

He was preceded in death by a brother, David Voss, a nephew, James David Voss and a great great nephew, Wade.

James served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.   He did coursework at Northwestern University, University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois(Juvenile, Social Work, and Labor Relations).  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis on Police Science from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston.  James served with the Champaign Police Department for 29 years, where attained the rank of Lieutenant, and then for the City of Monticello, where he retired as Chief of Police. 

He was a member of the Human Relations Commission, City of Champaign for 15 years, Illinois Association, Chiefs of Police, National Association of Chiefs of Police, Rotary Club, Moose, Elks Lodge, American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS.  He was former President of Local #1660 AFL/CIO Municipal Police Union-1st Union Down State Illinois; Vice President of Illinois Police Association, Secretary and Treasurer of Kickapoo Division of Illinois Police Association and Exchange Club.  He authored No Strike/Bargaining Laws for AFL/CIO Government Employees, State of Illinois and he wrote numerous articles for the News-Gazette, Piatt County Journal and the Illinois Police Association Journal.  He was named in the Who’s Who, Elite Registry of Extraordinary Professionals in 1992-93. 

The family would like to thank the staff of OSF Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17.  Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

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