James Roger "Jim" BANGE

James "Jim" Roger Bange, 65, of the Illinois Veterans Home, formerly of 1019 St. Charles Drive, died at 8:27 a.m. Sunday (Dec. 27, 2009) in Blessing Hospital. He was born Jan. 18, 1944, in Quincy, a son of Elmer F. and Lenore Winking Bange. Jim married Ruth A. Benz on Nov. 29, 1969, in St. Anthony Catholic Church. Jim was a wonderful husband and father. He was adored by his grandchildren. Jim was a true testament of unwavering faith, grace and peace to all who loved and knew him. Jim's pride and joy was his family. The highlight of his life was his grandchildren, Nicholas, Alaina, Rob and Charlie. He was excitedly awaiting the arrival of his fourth grandson, Jack Gentle. He enjoyed golf, gardening and woodworking. Jim was an actively involved member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 583, the Elks and American Legion Post 37. Jim graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1962 and De Vry Technical Institute in Chicago in 1964. He was a member of Illinois National Guard, 126 Service and Supply Co., serving in Vietnam from 1968 through 1969. Beginning in 1964, Jim was employed by Motorola, Quincy's Engineering Department and Fisher Business Equipment. In 1980, Jim was employed by Mitchells Quickprint and became co-owner from 1996 through 2006, when he retired. Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth Bange of Quincy; son, Steve Bange and his wife, Sara, of Quincy; daughter, Sara Gentle and her husband, Mike, of Maroa; grandchildren, Nicholas and Alaina Bange of Quincy, and Rob and Charlie Gentle of Maroa; mother-in-law, Rose Mary Benz of Quincy; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen Terstriep and her husband, John, George Benz and his wife, Leah, Roger Benz and his wife, Tawny, Sharon Mitten and her husband, Terry, Carol Allen and her husband, Doug, and John Benz and his wife, Sheila, of Quincy, Margie Terwelp and her husband, Randy, of Payson, Jane Albsmeyer and her husband, Jerry, of Camp Point, Alice Barbour and her husband, Rick, of Morton, Karen Lewis and her husband, Stan, of Normal and Dr. Robert Benz and his wife, Denise, of Fort Collins, Colo. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and an aunt, Dorothy Bange also survive. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lenore Bange, and father-in-law, Edward Benz. SERVICES: 9 a.m. Thursday in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home and at 9:30 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted at the cemetery by American Legion Post 37. VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with a parish prayer at 7 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus service to follow. MEMORIALS: ALS Association, the Knights of Columbus TV Mass for Shut-ins, the Illinois Veterans Home Activity Fund or to Blessed Sacrament Church. WEB SITE: www.dukerandhaugh.com. ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.