James Allen Cummings, age 84, of Peoria passed away at 10:22 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Born April 22, 1931, in LaSalle-Peru, Ill., he was the son of Florence Herberger-Lindner. On Sept. 6, 1952, James married the love of his life, Gail Mary Michael, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management, as well as his Juris Doctorate, from the University of Illinois.

James served on the Peoria Park District board for more than 40 years was an active member and past president of the Peoria Republican Party and was head of the Peoria Diocese Council of Catholic Men. James also was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 4333, past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. He was head of the U of I Newman Club, head of the U of I Ethics Committee and founder of the Lincoln Statue Committee and the Lincoln Award Committee.

James was a brilliant attorney and an avid and excellent bridge player who enjoyed golfing, fishing, antiquing and auctions. He will be remembered for his love of dogs, enjoying long Sunday drives and being an Abraham Lincoln expert.

James was an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was loved and will be truly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Gail; eight children, Mary (Phillip) Berkemeier of Jackson, Mich., Kate (Gerald) Wren of Mapleton, Ill., Angie (Phillip) Owens of Springfield, Ill., Mike (Marguerite) Cummings of Tomahawk, Wis., Teresa (Mike) Green of Austin, Texas, Mark (Kelly) of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Julie (David) Vaughn of Coralville, Iowa, and Kelly Cummings of Peoria; 26 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Walt Lindner; one grandchild, Patrick Vaughn; and one great-grandchild, Kellen Berkemeier.

Services have been held. Memorials in James' memory may be made to St. Philomena Church, St. Philomena School and the Women's Care Center.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto wrightandsalmon.com.