James M. Vinopal

James M. “Jim” Vinopal, age 96, of Downers Grove, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at home with his loving family by his side.

He was born December 3, 1927, in Chicago, the son of Charles and Marie (Schulgan) Vinopal.

Jim was a Naval and Army veteran, serving honorably during both WWII and the Korean Conflict and was an active Life Member in the American Legion serving as a District Commander and an active Life Member and a board of directors’ representative for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jim was energetically active in shooting sports and hunting serving as the coach for the Windy City Rollers shooting team of paralyzed veterans from Hines VA, past president of the Illinois State Rifle Association and as a director for the National Rifle Association.

Jim was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Co. for 40 years, retiring as a Communication Engineer.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years Helen (Brown); children James Jr of Bolingbrook and Bill (Theresa) of Virginia; daughter-in-law Jeannie; grandchildren James (Pam), Charles (Cameron), Jason (Kristen), William (Alexandra), Sarah (Travis) Walton, Marie Vinopal, Thomas (Megan), Joellen Vinopal, Anna (Andrew) Zuniga, and Lauren, Danniele, Jackie Rae, and Robert Vinopal, Colleen (John) Miller, Brian Norton, Jeff Smith, Amanda Smith, Kristen Smith, Julie Smith, and Ryan Smith; nine great grandchildren; and many other dear relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Robert Vinopal and Agnes Deep, daughter-in-law Carol Vinopal, and his son Joseph.

Funeral Service for Jim will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:30 am at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 530 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook with Father Patrick Murphy officiating.

Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 25 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 would be appreciated.

For information contact Malone Funeral Home at 630-232-8233 https://www.malonefh.com/ or McCauley-Sullivan Funeral home at 630-759-1212 https://www.sullivanfunerals.com/.

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