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 James Edward "Jim" Totten, 85, of Carmi, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on October 6, 1938, in Olney, Illinois, the son of William Edward and Dorothy A. (Patterson) Totten. Jim married Christine A. Keiffer on July 3, 1970, and she survives.
Jim worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 44 years, and began his career as Postmaster in 1974, serving various communities until coming to Carmi in 1984 and serving until his retirement in 2004. He spent 64 years as a firefighter. 36 of those years were served on the Carmi Fire Department where he had served as Safety Officer and Secretary/Treasurer until he retired in April of this year. Jim spent 10 years, from 2009 to 2019, as the White County Director for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Jim served on the Carmi City Council from 2019-2023. He taught Healthcare and CPR at Frontier and Southeastern Illinois Colleges for 35 years. He was a reporter for the National Weather Service for 45 years. Jim was Chairman of the White County 911 Board. He spent some of his earlier years serving as Scout Master from 1965 to 1985. Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church in Carmi, where he served on various committees as well as being Head Usher and Sunday School Director. He was a model train collector. He especially had an interest in the models that resembled the ones he worked on early in his Postal career. Jim enjoyed traveling by train. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, Christine Totten of Carmi, IL, Jim is survived by his children, Tamera (David) Kimpland of Land-O-Lakes, FL, Timothy J. Totten of Baytown, TX, James Ray (Diane) Totten of Waller, TX, and Chrissy (Brandon) Keys of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Lainey (Randall) Vickers, Jaycee Totten, Mindy (Brett) Taylor, Andrew Kimpland, Keiffer Keys, Kooper Keys, and Lola Grace Keys; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Tom (Cindy) Totten of Olney, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald Ray Totten.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023. at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney, Illinois. Family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim's memory to First Baptist Church in Carmi or the Carmi Fire Department, and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi, who is in charge of arrangements.
Campbell Funeral Home, Carmi, IL
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Dan Totten (1965)
At this time in life our minds are full of memories, they are ALL there, but the recall is random, never knowing what triggers them. I remember Jim as a role model when I was a teenager. Jim was my cousin, as many Totten's were in Olney. We did many things together, CB radios, painting his international scout truck red, going rabbit hunting, all good times. He spent a life of service to his community. Boy scout troop at the American Legion, fire departments in Olney and Carmi and teaching. He was the best man at my wedding 56 years ago. He was a good friend that influenced my life. I will never forget him. We will go hunting again someday my friend, maybe you will get one then.
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS Dan Totten