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James Klopfenstein Obituary
PEORIA - James W. Klopfenstein, 72, of Peoria passed away at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, at his home.
He was born Jan. 25, 1942, in Peoria to William P. and Hope Aldene (Brown) Klopfenstein. He married Virginia "Ginny" Kuch on March 27, 1993, in Hillside, Ill.
Surviving are his wife, Ginny Klopfenstein of Peoria; two daughters, Amy (Mel) Ellenwood of the Czech Republic, and Samantha (Jason) Geiger of Peoria; three sons, the Rev. Dr. Jay (Nancy) Klopfenstein of Ottawa, Canada, Scott (Amy) Klopfenstein of Cascade, Colo., and Michael (LeAnne) Klopfenstein of Morton; 13 grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry (Winnie) Klopfenstein of Pekin and Paul (Betty) Klopfenstein of Morton; and one sister, Jane (Dan) Chittick of Memphis, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jim owned and operated James W. Klopfenstein Associates, Inc., which was a commercial and residential real estate appraising company in Morton for 40 years.
He was a member of the Appraisal Institute in Chicago, where he held the MAI designation, and former chairman of the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraiser Foundation in Washington, D.C. Jim was past president of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers and held the SRA and SREA designations.
He and his wife were active in the Morton High School Band Boosters. In 2009, Jim and his wife were instrumental in getting the Morton High School Marching Band to Washington, D.C., where they marched in President Obama's first inaugural parade. He received Music for All's Band Booster Parent of the Year in 2009.
He also was a member of the First Federated Church in Peoria, where a funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, with the Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel Jr. officiating. Visitations will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, and from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, both at Ludwig Mortuary in Morton. Burial will be in Hirstein Cemetery in Morton.
Memorials may be made to the Morton High School Band Boosters.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ludwigmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Klopfenstein
Jerry Custer
December 2, 2014
I knew Jim simply in casual greetings over the years as we passed each other in the Morton Professional Building (where we both maintained offices). His tireless efforts in his assistance to the Morton High School Band stood out for me as saying alot about Jim. I would see him loading up filled coolers for the band and then eventually doing it again. I also saw him make his way into the office not that long ago..when he could have stayed home because of his health..but come to the office he did. He will be missed. He was a good man.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Gloria Kirby
December 2, 2014
Jerry and I we so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a good friend in high school and beyond. He was a fun, kind and loving person and he will be missed. Our prayers are with your family at this time.
Colleen Whalen
November 30, 2014
Dear Mike & Family: My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. Of all the businessmen that have come into the Peoria County Board of Review Office over the last 30 years, your father was one of the kindest and most pleasant to work with. May God bless you with happy memories to give you comfort in the coming days.
November 28, 2014
To all the family, We send our sincere sympathy to you all. I was a classmate of Jim`s at Morton. We pray God will comfort your hearts and fill you with His peace.
Jerry and Peg (Frank) Sauder
Barb Roth
November 28, 2014
Dear Ginny and Family,
Our prayers and sympathies are with your family. We will miss Jim's sweet joy when he had the grandkids choose their Christmas ornaments and then slip something a little extra...candy, cocoa...into their gift bag. And of course, the picture of all of you sitting on the steps...so proud of his family. He was a kind, gentle man.
Love, Russ & Barb Roth....Red Barn
David and Mary Lee
November 28, 2014
Ginny and family, we were saddened to hear of your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Kerri Klopfenstein
November 28, 2014
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Klopfenstein family. You all are in our our thoughts and we will be praying for you all.
Art and Judy (Brown) Wilson
November 28, 2014
We will be thinking of you all and was so sad to hear this news of Jim's passing. God bless you all.
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