James R. Elder

James R Elder, age 66, of South Elgin passed away at his home on December 26 2025. Jim was born April 27, 1959 in Chicago to Bill Elder and Mary Lou Scheffler Elder both deceased. 

He is survived by his brother Mike, brother Pat and wife Kathy and their three sons, sister Debbie Vasica and her husband Bob and their three daughters and one son, sister Diane DeLeo and and her two sons. His brother Steve passed away in 2019. 

He graduated from Larkin High School in 1977. Jim worked for Senior Flexonics in Bartlett for 30 years before retiring in 2021. He attended DeVry University in the evening for 5 years while working at Flexonics.

He lived with Diane Schoenfeld for 20 years. They did a lot of traveling. He loved spending time with her grandsons Chandler and Joey. Diane passed away in 2014.

He dated and married Lisa Kusiak. They also traveled. They divorced in 2024.

He liked to work out, roller blade, fish, and ride his bike. He was handy around the house and in the garage.

In recent years he relied on the support from his cousin's Ronald and Tony Lardino, and his sisters Debbie and Diane.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Countryside Funeral Home, 95 S. Gilbert St. South Elgin, IL.