James Emmett DuVall, 71, of rural Chebanse passed away at his home on Saturday, June 30, 2018 surrounded by his family. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Chebanse at 10:00 am, the Rev. Fr. Charles Wheeler will officiate. Friends may call on Friday at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton from 4-8 pm. Burial will be in the Sts. Mary and Joseph Cemetery in Chebanse. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or Sts. Mary and Joseph Cemetery. Please share a memory of James at knappfuneralhomes.com.
Mr. DuVall was born on June 14, 1947 in Lepanto, Arkansas, the son of Emmett Earl and Mallie Dean Jones DuVall and his parents are deceased. He married the former Betty J. Elliot in Chebanse on February 7, 1970 and she survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Dana DuVall (fiancé Tim Hill) of Valparaiso, IN; a son, Chad (Kristin) DuVall of Tampa, FL; a grandson, Jacob; mother-in-law, Mary Elliot of Chebanse; three brothers, Dick (Willow) DuVall of Watseka, Sam (Sandy) DuVall of California and Cleo (Sally) DuVall of Bourbonnais; six sisters, Bennie Ehrich of Kankakee, Lois (Larry) Smith of Florida, Shirley Downing of Florida, Lenora Raboin of Bloomington, Ruth (Dale) Anderson of Paris, IL and Hazel Russell of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Debi DuVall of Bradley; brother-in-law, Louis Bake of Virginia; brothers-in-law, Randy (Linda) Elliot, Larry (Donna) Elliot and Chuck (Becky) Elliot all of Chebanse; and sisters-in-law, Bev (Dick) Benge of Chebanse and Dee Elliot of Mt. Vernon. Also surviving are special pets “Bubba” and “Igor”.
In addition to his parents, Mr. DuVall was also preceded in death by a brother, LeRoy DuVall; sisters, Earldean Moore, Fran Bake and Lu Howard; his father-in-law, William Elliot; brothers-in-law, Doug Moore, John Howard and Dennis Elliot.
Mr. DuVall was the owner and operator for 28 years of DuVall Auto Sales and Auto Body in Chebanse. He was a longtime member of Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church and ushered at the church for many years. He is a member of Central Council of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. DuVall was very active in the village of Chebanse. A man of many talents, he enjoyed helping friends, family and local businesses with their projects. He greatly enjoyed being with family and friends.
