James Musil Obituary

So many memories that Jim and Mildred and I shared at the Lyons Cave. What a wonderful and kind person Jim was. He will be missed.
Love, Marilyn Stepul

My deepest sympathies to Mildred, Annette, Eddie, Sandy, Diane, and many other immediate family members. Some of my younger, fondest memories of Mr. Musil were when we were toboggoning (which I never would have experienced without him) and the many trips to Western Illinois University. I remember one time on a return trip the Musils were going to go East on I74 and I told them it was the wrong direction. They believed me and I was right. It amazed me that they were willing to take my word but Annette just smiled and said that they got lost a lot and welcomed the right advice from a 19 year old. When I got older, I was always amazed at the Musil's generousity, their love of nature, and their need to share Christmas Eve and many of their other special occasions with my family. It was also important to me that they shared my wedding and my children's first birthdays and lives. David was unexpectantly born early on December 23. The Musils were the only ones to run out and buy him a Christmas present. The connections to Jim and my family went way back before I was born. My mother attended the same schools as Jim. When she was in grade school, my mom fell through the ice at the quarry at Cermak park. Jim went out on the ice and pulled her out. She told me that he saved her life. When I mentioned this to him, Jim thought of it as no big deal. After my birth, Jim and Mildred were one of the first people to see me. My parents and they were both at McNeil hospital at the same time in November of 1951. Annette and I were born only one day apart. Of course it is plain to see that Annette is the older one. Jim will remain an important memory in my life and will be missed. Jim will be always in our hearts and in our thoughts.