James H. "Jim" Grapperhaus

1939 - 2011

James Grapperhaus

James Herman "Jim" Grapperhaus, 72, of Troy, Ill., died on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville.

Born in St. Rose, Ill. May 18, 1939, the son of John and Irene (nee Kohlbrecher) Grapperhaus.

Married Mae Mersinger on June 10, 1961 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Blackjack by Rev. J.V. Dineen, pastor. She survives. He is also survived by six children, Laura and husband, Scott Reilson of St. Jacob; Dan and wife Sandy Grapperhaus of rural Collinsville; Dennis and wife, Margaret Grapperhaus of Troy; Darrell and wife, Vickie Grapperhaus of St. Jacob; Dale Grapperhaus and Kerri Klausing of Troy; 16 grandchildren, Jared and wife, Amanda Reilson and Maria Reilson of St. Jacob; Tiffany and husband, Tom Pieper of Troy; Tracy and husband, Kyle Cauley of Murray, Kentucky; Tanya Grapperhaus of St. Jacob; Jacob Grapperhaus, April Grapperhaus and Hannah Grapperhaus, all of rural Collinsville; Clay Grapperhaus, Kelsey Grapperhaus, Colton Grapperhaus, Caleb Grapperhaus and Holly Klausing, all of Troy; Carolyn, Grace and Faith Grapperhaus, all of Troy; one unborn great-grandchild; one sister, Mary Lou and husband, Joe Fischer of St. Rose; John and wife, Charlene Grapperhaus of Highland; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Grapperhaus of Highland, and Edna Grapperhaus of St. Rose; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Grapperhaus; and two brothers, Charles Grapperhaus and Paul Grapperhaus.

He and his wife farmed south of Troy raising grain, cattle and swine. He retired from farming in 2001 he worked at the Hunter Packing Company from 1963 to 1974.

He was a former member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Holy Name Society at the church and is currently member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy. He served as Jarvis Township Road Commissioner for 27 years and was currently on the Jarvis Township Board of Trustees. He served six years in the Illinois National Guard (U.S. Army) from 1959 to 1965.

He was currently a member of the Southwestern Electric Coop Board of Directors; St. John the Baptist Chapel Foundation Board of Directors; was an honorary member with 50 plus years membership in the Troy Knights of Columbus Council 9266; was a fourth degree Assembly Knight of Columbus with the Maryville Assembly and stood honor guard in his early years for funerals.

He was a retired Troy Jaycee. Served on the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation Board from 1978-1980; the Troy Grain Company Board of Directors for several years; was a 4-H Leader and also an Honorary Chapter FFA Farmer.

He was a supporter of Troy Historical Society, Troy/ Maryville/ St. Jacob Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Senator Paul Simon Museum; and a friend of the National Road Association of Illinois.

He and his wife traveled extensively to most of the 50 United States; Europe, Jamaica, Virgin Islands; Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren, playing euchre and just hanging out with his family. He was always interested in his family and farming.

Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Chapel Foundation, or in the form of Masses or to the Cancer Society appreciated.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2011 at Laughlin-Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Ill., and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, Ill.

Funeral: Mass of Resurrection will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Blackjack, Ill.

LAUGHLIN-RICHESON

FUNERAL HOME, Troy, Ill.