The Village of Onarga and all of Iroquois County is mourning the death of Pastor James Small.

A community leader, directing the Onarga Christian Church, Jim Small was an active member of so many youth groups. He was also a Village Board member in Onarga, served as chaplain at Iroquois Memorial Hospital and was a spiritual leader for the IMH Hospice program.

Jim Small was instrumental in getting the Garage Community Center for Youth opened in Gilman. He served as camp manager at the Prairie States Christian Camp and was also a leader in startup for Youth for Christ organization.

In 2015, Small was named Onarga Citizen of the Year.

Jim Small died at his home Wednesday, having battled cancer. He was 63.

94.1 WGFA