James E. Phelps

James Edward Phelps, 75, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

Visitation for James will be Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, IL. 

Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home with burial immediately following in Highland Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Carmel.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital in James memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home during services or can be mailed to Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, P.O. box 397, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863

James was born June 21, 1949, in Central City, Kentucky, the son of Herbert and Rena (Burdon) Phelps. He was adopted by James and Anna Mae Kohlbecker. James served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army.

On August 6, 1984, James married Aleta Joy Rayborn at the Church of Christ in Mt. Carmel, Illinois and together they have 6 children.

James came home in June of 1970 from the Vietnam War after being wounded. He worked at Snap-On Tools and Amax Coal as a roof bolter, where he retired. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed playing poker with his friends. Around town, James was known as “The Storyteller”. 

He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and American Legion and also belonged to the Eagles.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Aleta Joy Rayborn; children, Timothy (Kristi) Burton of Princeton, IN, Cynthia (Mike Lagow) Phelps of Mt. Carmel, IL, Michael (Shelly) Burton of Mt. Carmel, IL, Stephanie (William) Umfleet of Mt. Carmel, IL, Deanna (Jason) Woods of Mt. Carmel, IL; 16 grandchildren, Tyler Phelps, William Umfleet, Natasha Groff, Chassie Umfleet, Alyssa Perry, Cheyenne Pierce, Telisha Ridgley, Robert Ridgley, Nathan Woods, Michael Burton, Erica Burton, Timia Butler, Zack Burton, Triston Phelps, Bryson Phelps, and Dayton Brimm, as well as 39 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lindall Beatty, Carolyn Kennedy, Sue Tarrance, Sheila Stogner, Randall (Susan) Beatty all of Kentucky, Janie (Brad) Payne of Princeton, Indiana, Leroy Beatty of Illinois.

Preceding him in death are his parents; daughter, Jennifer Phelps; brothers, Rathel, Roy, Ricky, and Carroll Lee Phelps, Jerry Ring; sisters, Shirley Strader; Debbie Brooks, Mary Lou Stewart, and Kathy Phelps.

Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Phelps family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James E. Phelps, please visit our floral store.