James Richard Whitmer, age 73, a lifelong resident of Wheaton, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, August 2, peacefully at home.

For Jim Whitmer, a joyful spirit and a caring heart were high priorities.  He was a man who loved God, served others and never met a stranger.

As a young boy, Jim made the decision to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  This commitment would define his entire life.

During his teen years, Jim was active in Youth for Christ.  His passion for memorizing scripture led to a national championship for Bible Quizzing.  He was student body president of Wheaton Community High School (1965), and shared a memorable speech at his high school graduation.

Jim attended Wheaton College, where he graduated with a BA in Communications.  During college, he traveled with a Youth for Christ "Teen Team," sharing the Good News of Jesus to audiences in Australia and New Zealand.  Also, Jim began learning the trade of photography.  He was a member of the Reserved Officer Training Corps.

At Wheaton, Jim met the love of his life, Mary Louise West.  They married before their senior year, and became lifelong partners in business, ministry and raising a family.

After college graduation, Jim served in the US Army as a Signal Corps photo officer (first lieutenant) and was stationed in Ft. Gordon, GA, and South Vietnam in 1971.

Jim developed a career as a self-employed, freelance photographer.  Jim and Mary together built "Jim Whitmer Photography," where they worked extensively in the editorial and advertising markets, having produced thousands of cover illustrations for brochures, books and magazines. One of their specialties is photographing people in real-life situations and their images often convey a spiritual quality and vitality.

Many of their images were taken in third world countries during photojournalistic coverage for relief agencies. Their scenic photos resulted from frequent travel opportunities worldwide.  A highlight for Jim's career was his work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, taking numerous photos of Dr. Graham, Crusades and Festival events, the international evangelism conference, Amsterdam 2000, and Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan's Purse.

Whether photographing refugees, famous people, families in America, children in the classroom, conferences, events or prisoners behind bars, Jim consistently expressed a unique love for people and immersed himself in the lives of those he photographed.

Jim was active in ministry as a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Wheaton (now Highpoint).  Jim volunteered unending hours in media, communications, planning events and ministry service.  For many years, Jim was the Youth Pastor where he and Mary served and mentored teens, mobilizing a high impact youth ministry characterized by empowering student leaders, with a high priority on effective evangelism and discipleship.

During that season, Jim also helped lead and build a coalition of Wheaton area youth ministries (Wheaton Area Churches Keen on Youth), for city-wide outreach and events.  Jim was the local crusade chairman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association movie outreach, Time to Run, where many high school young people chose to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Later in his career, Jim taught photography at College of DuPage.  In addition, he enjoyed serving on the board of Koinonia House National Ministries and as President of the Wheaton College Alumni Association.

Jim was a loving husband to Mary, making a marriage partnership and love story that lasted 52 years.  As a father to three boys, Jim always had time for his family, investing and discipling Rick, Steve and Jason to become men of God.  He modeled and lived excellence in every area of life.

Jim has been a huge cheerleader to his nine grandchildren, whether attending a game, being honored at school as a veteran, volunteering for his grandson's ministry, or having a meaningful conversation.  Jim loved his grandchildren with all his heart.

Jim cared deeply about others and always knew how to make them feel special.  He left a legacy of respecting everyone always, with no exceptions.  He always had a smile.  He truly finished well and encouraged everyone to live "Onward and Upward."

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Louise West Whitmer (Wheaton, IL); his son, Richard (Lisa Hutchcraft) Whitmer, grandchildren Jordan, Blake and Jenna, of Arkansas; son Steve (Shannon Stith) Whitmer, grandchildren Madison, Luke, Allison and Adam, of Wheaton, IL; and son Jason (Courtney Brez) Whitmer, grandchildren Jonathan and Cady, of Milton, GA;  brother Jerry (Jaye Forsberg) Whitmer, and sister Patty Whitmer Kreuser (Redgie); aunt and uncle, John and Donna Whitmer (Wheaton); and many nieces and nephews.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Carolyn Whitmer, and his sister Bonnie (Bob) Bernardi.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Highpoint Church, 1310 N. Main St, Wheaton, IL, and is open to the public.

A "Celebration of Life" service will take place Thursday, August 6, 10:30 a.m., also at Highpoint Church, Wheaton.  Due to COVID restrictions, this service is for extended family and by invitation only.  The public is invited to join online – at www.hultgrenfh.com .

Memorial gifts in honor of Jim Whitmer may be directed to HowToLife Movement , the global youth evangelism ministry founded and led by Jim and Mary's oldest grandson, Jordan Whitmer.