James A. Bindewald, 88, of rural Blandinsville, IL died at 11:44am Thursday, April 30, 2020 at his home.
        He was born February 5, 1932 in Fort Madison, IA, the son of Charles Raymond and Pearl Duckworth Bindewald. James was named after his grandfather, Alfred Duckworth. On December 21, 1951 he married his sweetheart, Betty Ann Adams in Fort Madison.
        On April 20, 1949, at the age of 17, he entered the U.S. Army. He served in the 571st Medical Detachment Helicopter Ambulance. He also served with the3rd Recon Platoon. He was deployed more than once to Korea and Vietnam. Army Sergeant First Class James A. Bindewald retired in August 1975 as a 1st Sergeant with 24 years of service. He was awarded the Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.

        “Although I do not recall seeing an American cry while I was in Korea, I am sure that all of us cried when we lost someone from our unit. I know I did. I waited until I was by myself, then I cried about someone getting hurt or killed. I prayed many times, asking God for the war to end.”
                                                                           -James Bindewald

        In August of 1949 he received his first letter from a penpal, Betty Adams who was at Moose Heart. They wrote back and forth with each other for many years. In June of 1951 they saw each other face to face for the first time. In July of 1951 James proposed to Betty and in December 1951 they were married. The minister who married them said, “When I tie a knot it is to stay tied.” On December 21, 2019 they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. They had an amazing love storing.
        James enjoyed tinkering, building things, doing carpentry work, running errands for his wife and working around their home. A day did not go by without him watching his “Programs” (soap operas). He was very faithful at purchasing his weekly lotto tickets along with his scratch off tickets. He did not go without dessert, after or sometimes before the meal. He was a champion at word search puzzles. You’d ask, “what ya doing?” He’d say, “Oh, circling words.” In 1976 - 1977, James built their home outside of Fountain Green and they enjoyed several wonderful years there.
        Surviving are his wife, Betty, one son, Robert Bruce Bindewald of Carthage, IL, two daughters, Debbie Ann Bindewald of Blandinsville and Lisa Marie (Ted) McConnell of Fountain Green, IL six grandchildren, Christy (Brian) McCoy, Leandra (Jamie) Deitrich, Mandy Palmer, Nicole (Ryan) Longuest, Tracie (Josh) Cameron and Pamela (Shawn) Cargill, eleven great-grandchildren, Alaina, Mike, Mason, Shelby, Cody, Cole, Daphne, Andrew, Jessa, Logan and Ryan, one brother, Fred Bindewald of Fort Madison, IA and several nieces and nephews.
        He was preceded in death by an infant son, James Bruce, three brothers, Eugene Bindewald, Bob Bindewald and Tom Bindewald and one sister, Carol Walljasper.
        A time to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe is assisting the family. A memorial fund has been established in his memory for the Wounded Warriors Project. Contributions may be mailed to; James Bindewald Memorial Fund, c/o Banks & Beals Funeral Home, PO Box 503, LaHarpe, IL 61450. To leave a condolence, please visit his obituary at banksandbeals.com