Ginger (Harless) Lupo-James

Ginger (Harless) Lupo-James, 71 was born a coal miners daughter on October 13th 1947 to Herman "John" and Jessie (Pettry) Harless in Charleston, West Virginia. On July 5th 2019 she passed peacefully in her home in Manteno, IL surrounded by her family and friends. When she was 8 years old, Ginger, along with her parents, relocated to Schiller Park, IL from West Virginia. Ginger graduated from East Leyden HS and went on to attain her BMEd with a voice major and piano minor from Central Methodist University. Following graduation she taught as a music teacher until returning home to Schiller Park, IL. On September 12th 1970 Ginger married John Lupo and moved to Chicago, IL. She gave birth to their only child, Francesca on January 24th 1973. John and Ginger were very involved with their church, St. Giles Family Mass Community in Oak Park, IL. Ginger was the music director and sang on the 3rd Sunday of the month. She was a mezzo soprano and had a voice that would give you the chills. John lost his battle with leukemia on November 1st 1988. Ginger volunteered as a lunch Mom at St. Giles school during Fran's elementary years and loved being with the kids. She worked at Hyster Corporation and Procter and Gamble until going on disability due to her health. In 1994 Ginger met Doyle James. They were married and she relocated to Manteno, IL. They spent 10 years together before he lost his battle with lung cancer on February 7, 1994. Ginger had an infectious smile and laugh, along with a witty personality that will be missed by all who knew her. She was very patriotic, loved singing, enjoyed all types of music and the arts. She played piano and guitar. She sang Ave Maria at numerous weddings including a Chicago Bulls player in the 90s. A medical procedure caused damage to her voice box and effected her singing voice, which deeply saddened her. Ginger attended Cornerstone Church of Manteno. She loved her morning coffee, classic country music (especially the Oak Ridge Boys), God, reading, NASCAR, traveling, and educating herself. She strived to be a scholar of all things. Her door was always open and so was her heart. She loved spending time with family. Especially her daughter Fran and son in law John Haney. She had a chosen family which included honorary daughters (Maureen Mullen-Boblitt, Barb Summers, Katy Finnegan, Amanda Harris, Sandi Barnes, Christina Pafero, Richelle Cordes and Dawn Hansen), honorary nieces and nephew (Beth, Michelle and Tyler Hart) and honorary grandchildren (Bailey Naese, Brenna and Henry Williamson, Noah, Nick and Hannah Coradetti and Jaymison and Blayze Summers). She is preceded in death by two husbands, John Lupo and Doyle James, her parents Herman "John" and Jessie (Pettry) Harless, Grandparents and many Aunts and Uncles. She is survived by her daughter Fran (Lupo) and John Haney along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to those who came to visit Ginger, and especially to Hospice of Kankakee for the empathetic and wonderful care they administered during her final weeks. Celebration of Life details: Visitation: Tuesday July 9th 2019 from 2-8p (service* at 7p) at Brown Funeral Home 21 N Main St, Manteno, IL 60950 Funeral*: Wednesday July 10th 2019 at 11am at Cornerstone Manteno 393 Southcreek Dr, Manteno, IL 60950 *Service and funeral will be officiated by her Pastor John Hines of Cornerstone Manteno and long time family friend, Deacon Lorry Madonia of St. Giles. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the families wishes. Cremation rites will be accorded. Brown-Jensen Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.