James (Jim) Allen Nanninga, 70, of DeFuniak Springs, FL. formerly of Aurora, IL passed Thursday, September 14, 2017 in Virginia while hiking the Appalachian Trail.           Jim was born September 5, 1947 in Aurora to Ralph & Donna (Osmond) Nanninga. He married Sandra Strukel September 7, 1968 in Bristol, IL.           Jim graduated from the University of Illinois as a Civil Engineer and went to work for American Bridge before going to work for the City of Aurora in the engineering department.  During his years with the city, he became the City Engineer and then the Director of Public Works.  He also earned his Master's Degree from Aurora University.  He later became the City Administrator for the Village of Yorkville.  Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota.  Jim was not only a family man, but the rock of the family. Everything he ever did was for them, finding new ways to enrich their lives.  After retiring to Florida, he loved working on his property, and building one-of-a-kind projects for his grandkids enjoyment.  There was always a new project for him to keep busy.  In addition to those projects, he started hiking the Florida National Trail that ran through the area near to their home.  Last year, he set out on an adventure to hike the entire Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia.  He made it 1,628 miles through 10 states before injuring his ankle.  After making a full recovery, he set again to finish the last 600 miles earlier this month. It was on the trail doing what he truly enjoyed where he joined his mother, father, brother and one of his grandsons in heaven.           He is survived by his wife Sandra Nanninga of DeFuniak Springs, FL.; his three children, Thomas (Kimberly) Nanninga of Montgomery, Laura (Donald) Daugette of Milton, FL., Karen (Jeremy) Bee of Gulf Breeze, FL; his thirteen grandchildren, Michael (Juliana) Nanninga, Kassandra Nanninga, Jackson Nanninga, Kaitlyn Baldridge, Allison Baldridge, Nicole Baldridge, Ashley McMahon, Devan Daugette, Jenna Daugette, Dawson Daugette, Joseph Bee, Jonathan Bee, Ashley Bee; three great grandchildren, Marilyn Nanninga, Eleanor McMahon and Fiona McMahon.           He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Daniel Bee and a brother, Michael Nanninga.           A gathering of family and friends be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. with family offering a eulogy and stories of remembrances of James at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20th  at the Dunn Family Funeral Home With Crematory, 1801 S. Douglas Rd. Oswego, IL. 60543. Phone 630-554-3888.           Memorials may be directed to the Florida Trail Association at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/floridatrail.           Please visit www.dunnfamilyfuneralhomee.com  for information and guest book.