Deacon James Haneghan

GALESBURG — Deacon James Haneghan, who served St. Patrick Parish here since his ordination as a permanent deacon in 1997, died on Saturday, June 13, 2020. He was 76.

The rosary will be prayed privately at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg on Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. Open visitation will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing, limited occupancy, and face masks will be required.

A private funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Church. It will be livestreamed on Galesburg Catholic’s Facebook page.

Born in Galesburg on Dec.  29, 1944, to Joseph and Hazel Haneghan, he attended Corpus Christi High School. He married Linda Thiele in 1965.

During his career, he owned several businesses in Galesburg, including Haneghan Standard service station and Haneghan Brothers TV. He was a salesman for lines of businesses ranging from Newton Manufacturing to Wilson Paper to Protexall uniforms.

In the 1990s, he and Linda took part in four years of preparation for Jim’s ordination to the permanent diaconate. A member of the Diocese of Peoria’s sixth class of deacons, he was among 17 men ordained by Bishop John J. Myers at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on May 17, 1997.

In addition to assisting at the parish, Deacon Haneghan provided pastoral care for hospice patients through OSF HealthCare; helped bring the We Are The Church (WATCH) renewal program to St. Patrick Parish; and was active in Cursillo.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda; two daughters, Tricia (Jonathan Nystrom) Haneghan and Erin (Wayne Whitehead) Haneghan; two brothers, Carl and Jerry (Glenda) Haneghan; a sister, Jane (Haneghan) Wessels; and 10 grandchildren.

His wide range of interests included making his grandchildren smile, collecting coins and stamps, travel,  50’s music, games, and a group of close friends from grade school.

Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Parish or to the family.