James "Jim" H. Monken

James “Jim” H. Monken, of Steelville, MO, was born on Wednesday, October 11, 1944 in Alton, IL to Delmar Oscar Monken and Margaret Lorine Monken, nee Hardin.  He passed away at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, MO on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at the age of 79 years, 5 months and 3 days.

Jim graduated high school in Roxane, IL.  He worked at Granite City Steel for 35 years and after his retirement started his own remodeling business that he dedicated himself to for 7 years.  He married the love of his life, Delsie Maxine Ray, on June 29, 1985 in Wisconsin.  Together they enjoyed RV’ing and traveling. They moved to Steelville from Illinois in the early 90’s. He had accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and attended a Methodist church.  Jim was an avid collector of clocks, pocket watches and grandfather clocks.  He enjoyed woodworking and the outdoors.  Jim loved planting trees and flowers, Delsie always had beautiful bouquets from his garden.  Jim was a kind and caring man, who enjoyed socializing, never met a stranger and was a tissue donor.  He loved his dogs who were more like his babies, Finny, Blaze, Rusty and Joey.  Most of all, Jim loved his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Delmar and Margaret Monken; parents-in-law  Darrell and Ailina Ray, nee Gordon.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Delsie Monken of Steelville, MO; daughters Deborah Barnes of Bethel, IL, Diane Perry of Fayetteville, NC and Paula Luebbert of Meadowbrook, IL; step-children Lori (Jeff) Depillo, Ciera (Donald) Campbell and Bob (Tawnya) Sterebler all of Illinois; sister Rhonda Monken of St. James, MO; brothers-in-law John D. Ray and Jerald D. Ray both of Illinois; sister-in-law Brenda K. Corbin of Illinois; grandchildren Cassius Campbell, Keira Campbell and Scott Hartmann; special friends Bob Carollo and Juanita Schuler both of Sullivan, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service immediately followed at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  The service was livestreamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO’s Facebook page. Burial was at St. James City Cemetery, St. James, MO.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.
 

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