James Woeltje

Loving husband, father and Papa, James William "Jim" Woeltje, 82, of Jackson peacefully passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at his home.

He was born Sept. 30, 1938, in St. Louis, son of Roy and Ruby Allers Woeltje. He and Kathie Heitz were married in 1982.

Jim graduated from Jackson High School in 1956. He received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree in elementary administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Teaching and school administration took him to Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. After retiring from the public school sector, he taught for eight years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Jackson.

Jim followed his calling in ministry and served as pastor of Illmo United Methodist Church from 1996 until 2019.

He filled his time by serving his Jackson community and was known for his knowledge of Jackson history. He was a member of the Jackson Optimist Club and served on the Jackson School Board and the Cape Girardeau County Planning and Zoning Committee. Jim supported the many youth in Jackson by attending many school activities. Jackson football was his ultimate love.

In recent years, Jim was thrilled to meet his biological family and got to know a half-brother, Ron Upton of Arkansas City, Kansas, and three cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Kathie Woeltje, of the home; two daughter, Dana Woeltje (Michael Sewell) of Woodstock, Georgia, and Molly (Jason) Wilhelm of Jackson; three bonus children, Drew Rinacke of Alton, Illinois; Bethany Rinacke of Cape Girardeau; and Ryan (Melissa) Rinacke of Marble Hill, Missouri; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeff Woeltje; and two great-grandsons.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Jim Woeltje Memorial Scholarship Fund or to the Jim Woeltje family, c/o McCombs Funeral Home, 640 W. Independence, Jackson, MO 63755.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.