Reverend Lee E. Finley, Sr.

Service Details

His visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 24th from 4-8:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore, IL.

His funeral service will be on Saturday, Feb. 25th at 11:00 AM at the Israel of God’s Church, W.H.A., 248 North Ave., Sycamore, IL. with Bishop Ronald C. Henton officiating. 

Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com  

Reverend Lee E. Finley, Sr., 92, was born in Warren, Arkansas, on November 8, 1930. He was the eldest of nine children of Forrice and Roxie (Price) Finley.  In the fall of 1944, when Reverend Finley was 14 years old, his parents moved them to Racine, Wisconsin. Reverend Finley attended vocational school and worked in a machine shop, and he worked at the Racine Hotel, where he shined shoes.  His first “real job” was at Don Hutson, a car dealership where he checked in new cars.  He was promoted to used car detail and then auto mechanic.  Over the years, as the dealership came under new ownership Reverend Finley remained employed there until his retirement.

In 1950, he married Mother Thelma L. (Dogans), and to this union nine children were born, six daughters and three sons.

In 1957, Reverend and Mother Finley joined the Israel of God’s Church during a revival held in Racine, Wisconsin.  In 1977, he was made an Elder and appointed pastor of the church in Racine. He was the pastor there until 1996. He was also ordained to the office of Reverend in 1983. From 1991 until 1996, he pastored two churches at the same time, the church in Racine, WI, and the church in Wilmar, AR. Reverend Finley pastored the church in Wilmar, AR from 1991 to 2021.  Reverend Finley also served on the Executive Council of the Israel of Gods Church from 1983 until his passing and was the secretary of the Executive Council from 1994 until 2011.  Reverend Finley served as Presiding Elder for the Eastern Zone North from 1989 to 2010. In addition, he served as the Presiding Elder of the Central Zone Northwest from 1996-2001.

Reverend Finley loved the Church and he loved his family. He worked hard in the Church and he worked hard for his family.

He encouraged his family to always do the right thing and treat others the way we wanted to be treated. Reverend Finley was known throughout the connection for his meekness, kindness and humility.

On Sunday, February 12, Reverend Lee E. Finley passed away, peacefully at home, in Sycamore IL.

Reverend Finley, leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Mother Thelma L. Finley, and his children: Mother Brenda Collins, Deacon Lee (Edna) Finley, Jr., Francine (Lee) Strong, Mark (Donna) Finley, Bryan (Janita) Finley, Jessica Buckley, Vanessa Sims and Sonja Finley. His siblings, Sister Betty Berryhill, Alice (Pastor Will) Riley, Jr., Raleigh “Jim” Finley, Mother Henrietta (Reverend George B.) Hamilton, Jarvis (Marilyn) Finley, Ricky Finley. He also leaves 16 grandchildren: Yushika Finley, Nina (Deacon Keith) Sims, Jennifer Alayande, Shanin (Elder Dushon) Brown, Damien Finley, April (Reverend Ramone) Davis, Ashanta Hardville, Jenna Finley, Erin (John) Burkhart, James (Tiffani) Ewing, Brent Ewing, Myles Strong, Roxie Finley, Gabrielle Sims, Royce Finley and Gianna Sims. Fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Reverend Finley was preceded in death by his parents, Forrice and Mother Roxie Finley, his sister, Juanita Person, his brother, Nathaniel “Nick” Finley, his daughter Janice L. Hardville, his sons-in-law: Reverend James T. Ewing II, Kelvin L. Buckley, Reverend Hurley Collins, Karlreese L. Sims and Morris Hardville.

His visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 24th from 4-8:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore, IL.

His funeral service will be on Saturday, Feb. 25th at 11:00 AM at the Israel of God’s Church, W.H.A., 248 North Ave., Sycamore, IL. with Bishop Ronald C. Henton officiating.  Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com