James William "Jim" Woeltje

Loving husband, father and Papa, James William “Jim” Woeltje, 82, of Jackson,  peacefully passed away Friday, January 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, served on the Jackson RII 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 daughters, 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; Ryan (Melissa) Rinacke of Marble Hill, Missouri; ten 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 – 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb 1, 2021, 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 (please make checks out to JR2 Foundation with Jim's name on the memo line,) or to the Jim Woeltje family, c/o McCombs Funeral Home, 640 W. Independence, Jackson, MO 63755.

Jim Woeltje Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Jackson R-2 School Foundation
614 E. Adams, Jackson MO 63755
Tel: 1-573-243-9501

Family of Jim Woeltje c/o McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center
640 West Independence, Jackson MO 63755
Tel: 1-573-243-2424