Reverend James M. Lennon was born on July 10, 1932, to Mary Elizabeth (Nee: McCarrick) and Christopher Ignatius Lennon in Boston, Massachusetts. He was baptized on July 31, 1932, at St. Andrew in Rosindale, Massachusetts. He entered Eternal Life on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Our Lady of Angels, Joliet surrounded by his loving family.

Reverend Lennon attended the following schools: St. Raymond Grade School, Joliet, Joliet Township High School, Joliet, St. Procopius College, Lisle, where he received a bachelor's in philosophy and education, and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland.

Reverend Lennon was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958, by Bishop Martin D. McNamara at St. Raymond Cathedral, Joliet.

His assignments were the following: Parochial Vicar at Holy Trinity, Westmont (1958-1962), Parochial Vicar at Assumption, Coal City (1962-1965), St. Anne, Crest Hill (1965-1966), St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (1966-1971), Pastor of St. James, Glen Ellyn (1971-1978), Pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, Naperville (1978-1990), Pastor of St. Mary, Mokena (1990-1994), Parochial Vicar at St. Scholastica, Woodridge (1995), and Pastor of St. Patrick, Joliet (1995-2006).  Reverend Lennon also held the following positions: he was the Spiritual Advisor of St. Procopius Abbey for a period beginning in 1961, Diocesan Director of Vocations 1965-1971, part-time Spiritual Director at the Seminary for a period beginning in 1978, and Temporary Vicar for Priests (2003).  Reverend Lennon entered retirement in 2006 during which time he was the Temporary Administrator at St. Patrick, Wilton Center (2007-2008) and lived at the Fiat House, St. John Paul II House, and St. Anthony's Church, Joliet.

In 2006, the city council of Joliet honored Reverend Lennon by naming the portion of Willow Avenue, next to St. Patrick's Church, "Father Jim Lennon Way". Above all else, Father Jim loved and cherished spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by his parents; his loving sister, Nan L. (Charles J.) Petges.

Survived by his devoted family, James (Marie) Petges, Mary Susan "Susie" (Anthony) Cempel, Scott (Karla) Petges, and Karen "Katie" (Stephen) Pluth; adored great nieces and nephews, Kyle Petges, Chris (Melissa) Petges, Kassidy (Paul) Babler, Kearney Pluth, and Abbey Petges; one great-great niece, Killian Babler, and a great-great niece due in August.

Rite of reception will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave, Joliet, IL 60435. Rev. Lennon will lie in state at the Cathedral from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, and on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 9:00am until 10:45am, Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Interment following Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Romeoville.