James "Jim" Edward Van Vooren

Jim VanVooren passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor in Fishers, Indiana, on November 14, 2026, with another celebration planned for Geneseo, Illinois, in the spring of 2027.

Jim was born on May 17, 1941, in Thomas, Illinois. He was one of four children of Edward John VanVooren and Zulma Marie Boelens. He was a 1959 graduate of Geneseo High School in Geneseo, Illinois. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve where he served for six years. He married Linda “Lyn” VanVooren on September 25, 1966, in Geneseo.

Jim was an entrepreneur of sorts. As a young boy, he offered to help clean historical cars and requested a bottle of Pepsi for his time. He sought out neighbors who needed help with farming activities to buy things he enjoyed. He took over his parents’ farm in the early 1970’s and also held various sales and management roles over the years, primarily in the agricultural industry. In the mid 1980’s, he left farming and started his own lawn, landscaping, and snow removal business while also working for the Geneseo School District as a custodian at Southwest Elementary School. He also coached the Geneseo Junior High Cross Country team for a number of years before his retirement in 2012.

A month after his retirement, he and Lyn embarked on a 30-day journey, redoing the drive they took on historic “Route 66” as newlyweds…but this time at a much more relaxed pace. In 2016, he and Lyn moved to Fishers, Indiana where he became known as “The Captain of the Cul-de-sac” for his desire and willingness to make sure everyone felt welcome. He knew everyone and enjoyed visiting with neighbors. He could often be found sitting on the front porch, or in a chair in the garage, keeping track of the neighbors who lived on his cul-de-sac. He could (and often would) talk to anyone and always had a joke or witty comment at the ready.

Jim had a lifelong passion for running. He ran cross-country and track as a student in high school, ran for personal enjoyment throughout his life, and coached others including students, his sons, and his grandchildren. He also loved to travel – some of his favorite trips were, of course, Route 66, but also trips out “west” to Colorado, Wyoming, & Montana, and a trip to Florida to run the Orange Bowl 10K.

Jim was an avid collector of a variety of things. Pretty much anything he found interesting, he would collect! His “collection” of tools was often used to help neighbors, friends, family, and even strangers with any number of projects. You could always count on Jim to offer help and to have just the right tool to make it happen.

He is survived by his wife, Lyn, Fishers, IN; son, Jason VanVooren, Fishers, IN; son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Heather VanVooren, Oswego, IL. Five grandchildren also survive him: Oliver VanVooren, Muncie, IN; Maddie VanVooren, Lakewood, CO; Caleb VanVooren, Fishers, IN; Emily VanVooren, Oswego, IL; and Jessica VanVooren, Oswego, IL. He is also survived by his sister, Mary. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bob; and sister, Berniece.