James Duane Pickett, 93, of Taylorville, passed away at 9:35am on March 28, 2026 at his home near Taylorville. He was born on January 10, 1933 in Rochester, the son of James Dalton Pickett and Hattie (Beck) Pickett. He married Mary Gean Andrews on December 3, 1952.

Jim graduated from Rochester High School in 1950 and worked at Allis-Chalmers in Springfield until he was drafted into the US Army late in the Korean War. He proudly served his country for 2 years in the Occupation Operations in Italy and Germany, having been honorably discharged.

He then worked for many years at Wareham’s Dairy and then Holland Dairy, starting as a driver and ultimately manager, then District Manager of Meadow Gold Dairy, Springfield. He co-owned and managed several local Charlie’s Car Wash facilities.

Jim enjoyed years of fishing with children and grandchildren on Sunset Lake in Girard, Illinois, and he retired with wife, Gean, to Lake Eustis, Florida where they enjoyed traveling and boating and many visits from family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Gean Pickett of Taylorville; daughter Linda Westbrook (William), son Thomas, and daughter-in-law Debbie (Reo) Pickett, all of Taylorville; grandchildren: Shelley Hillman Hanneken of Decatur; Wendy Westbrook Boeke (Jim Judd) of Yorkville; Mark Pickett (Cara) of Lake Forest; JD Pickett (Amanda) of Taylorville, great grandchildren: Ben and Nick Hanneken; McKinleigh Killham and Grace Boeke; Charlotte and Connor Pickett; Libbey, Bennett, Jamison and Sutton Pickett; Niece Marcia Jones Hankins (Russ); several other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son David, sister Dorothy, nephew Kirk Andrews, and grandson-in-law Todd Hanneken.

Mr. Pickett will be cremated, and services will be held at a later date with interment at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL.