James F. Norrenberns

James F. “Jim” Norrenberns, 88, of Albers, died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Aviston Countryside Manor. He was born August 29, 1929 in Albers, Son of Bernard J. and Pauline (Baahlmann) Norrenberns. He married Mary Ann J. Buehne on May 12, 1954 in St. Rose and she survives in Albers.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five sons, Glynn F. (Cindy) Norrenberns of Salem, Oregon, James A. (Sue) Norrenberns of Albers, Terry (Tammy) Norrenberns of Mascoutah, Ron (Geriann) Norrenberns and Bob (Sally) Norrenberns all of Albers; 10 grandchildren, Ashley (Tony) Morse, Anna, Heather (Chad) Loepker, Christopher (Liz) Norrenberns, Jacob Norrenberns, Kalee (fiancé Matt Hamblin), Jena (Matt) Bice, Blake (special friend Jena Hemann), Jillian and Regan Norrenberns; six great grandchildren: Luca, Gracie, Cayden, Claire Francis, Scarlett, and Samuel James; one brother, Pat (Esther) Norrenberns of Carlyle; three sisters, Monica (Les) Barkis of TX, Madonna (Tim) Koch of Belleville, and Paulette Templin of Albers; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert J. & Margo Buehne of Highland, Lorene Ethridge of Glen Carbon and Jane Frances Duft of Highland, and
Betty Norrenberns of Mascoutah.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson, Kyle Norrenberns, sister, Lorraine Schniers; a brother, Tom Norrenberns; and three brothers-in-law, Cyril Schniers, Ralph Ethridge, and Curt Duft.

Mr. Norrenberns was a retired fire chief for Scott Air Force Base, operated Jim & Mary’s Daycare from 1998 – 2007, owner/operator of Norrenberns Pool and Spa from 1976 until 1989, former owner/operator Diamond Lounge and Restaurant, and a member of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict where he earned the Korean Service Metal, Bronze Campaign Stars, and the United Nations Service Metal. He was a member of St. Bernard Parish, past President of St. Bernard’s Men’s Club, and past Lay Eucharistic Minister, past fire chief of the Clin-Clair Fire Protection District, member and past president of the Bi-County Fireman’s Association (now Southwestern Illinois Fireman’s Association), member of the Knights of Columbus since 1951, he helped assemble the Albers-Damiansville Knights of Columbus council, Charter Grand Knight from 1988 - 1991, Albers-Damiansville Council 9768, Bishop Althoff Assembly 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Past Faithful Navigator from 1993 – 1995 Assembly 0193, former Illinois Knights of Columbus District Deputy, Honoree of the 2009 Southern Friendship Dinner, member and player of the Minor League Professional Baseball Team the Centralia Sternings (Cubs Farm Club), member and past commander of the Stukenberg-Eilermann American Legion Post 1026 during the construction of the legion post, member and past president of the Albers Commercial Club, former trustee for the Village of Albers, and past Boy Scout Leader of Troop 222.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers. Burial will follow at St. Bernard
Cemetery in Albers.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017 at St. Bernard Church in Albers.
The Knights of Columbus will have a 4th degree Challis Service at 7:30 p.m. on
Friday at Church.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Cardinal Glennon Knights of Columbus Development Center, or Chakota and will be received at the funeral home.