OBITUARY: James Frederick “Doc” Tanner

James Frederick "Doc" Tanner, 72 of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Friday, Sept. 19, 2014.

Jim was born on March 7, 1942, in Harrisburg the only child of Fred L. and Mary Jackson Tanner. On June 17, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Ann Lindsay. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this year.

A graduate of Harrisburg Township High School class of 1959, he attended Southern Illinois University and later received his professional degree as a Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. He was a member of the Phi Theta Upsilon fraternity.

Upon graduation he returned to Harrisburg where he practiced optometry for over 40 years. He also had a practice in Hardin County for several years as well. After closing his practice in Harrisburg in anticipation of retirement, he became partners with Dr. Kenneth Clark, OD in a practice in Mt. Vernon for several years.

Dr. Tanner was active in several community organization over the years. He was a lifetime member of the Harrisburg Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis, a charter member of the Town and Country Lions Club and the Saline County Historical Society. He was very active in Rotary International and served as president of the Harrisburg Rotary Club at one time.

In addition to his wife Sharon, he is survived by his son, James Bradley Tanner, and daughter-in-law, Julie (Wilkie) Tanner of Harrisburg; daughter, Heather Ann (Tanner) Lee and son-in-law, Charles T. Lee, of Knoxville, Tenn. Known as "Grandpa Doc" he is survived by his four loving grandchildren, Austin, Colton, Jaxon and Audra. Surviving Aunts are Lena (Jackson) Roper, Nora Bell (Jackson) Oldham and Dodie (Jackson) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parent Fred L. and Mary Jackson Tanner.

As per his wishes there will be no public memorial. His request was for cremation and his ashes to be spread across his beloved family farm by his family in a private ceremony. Raised a farm boy, he never lost his love of the land, hunting and fishing. It was his last wish to be returned to his land.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Knight for his exceptional care over the years, the staff of the Harrisburg Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, especially Dr. Raymund Pineda who provided exceptionally kind and compassionate care at the end of his life.

The J. M. Weirauch is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to SIH Health care or Harrisburg Medical Center. Condolences may be sent to the family from the obituary page of www.weirauchfuneralhome.com