Born: November 25, 1957 - Deceased: February 3, 2020
James J. Cange Jr., 62, of Dupo, IL, born Monday, November 25, 1957 in Belleville, IL, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 at Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville, IL.
The first born of seven kids, he was raised in Swansea, IL, attended St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Grade School and graduated from Althoff Catholic High School in 1976. An avid bowler, he started his career managing Bel-Air Bowl and then Freeburg Bowl. But his love for the outdoors called him, so he moved into lawn care, working for Lawn in Order, and then the swimming pool industry where he spent the last 25 years, first at Munie Pool and Leisure in Swansea, IL and then at his current employer, Sunset Aquatech in Sunset Hills, MO. He recently began volunteering his time at Hilltoppers Swim Club in Dupo, IL, where he spent his free time making sure the pool and its grounds were in tip top shape. He did it all out of the goodness in his heart so the kids could have a safe place to spend their summers. Although the kids were at first leery of the big, tall guy walking on the pool deck with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a hammer in his hand, they soon saw his gentle nature and kind-heartedness and grew to love him just as everyone who knew him did.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Paternal grandparents: Joseph and Marguerite, nee Palmer, Cange
- Maternal grandparents: Clarence and Hilda, nee Griebel, Springer
Jimmy was a generous guy with a big heart, who loved to be outside fishing and hunting when he wasn’t at Hilltoppers.
He will be greatly missed by his surviving family and friends:
- Parents: James J. and Carol, nee Springer, Cange Sr. of Nashville, IL
- Daughter: Tori Bornholdt of Arnold, MO
- Brother: Keith (Michelle Szwedo) Cange of Belleville, IL
- Sisters
- Rhonda (Mike) Evans of Godley, TX
- Elizabeth (Kevin) Boyne of Belleville, IL
- Barbara (John Suarez) Alexander of Belleville, IL
- Patricia (Mike) Dieckhaus of Village of Four Seasons, MO
- Christie (Matt Erker) Cange of St. Louis, MO
- 13 nieces and nephews
- 13 great nieces and nephews
- Numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, friends
- Special friends
- Stacey Angelo
- Salle Plunkett
- Jim Merkley
- Animal buddies
- Ellie the Beagle
- Popcorn the Tennessee Walking Horse
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Hilltopper’s Swim Club, at P. O. Box 343 Dupo, IL 62239.
Visitation: Visitation from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Remembrance of Life: Since Jimmy was cremated, we will be sharing memories and stories of his life at 3:00 pm, Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Kurrus Funeral Home.
24 Comments
I am so sorry for your loss. All three of my kids swam with Hilltoppers swim team and we really appreciate all the work that Jimmy did for the pool. God bless you during this sad time.
His sheepish smile, that grin. The twinkle in his eye tells you everything he was. I look forward to the day we get to hug and laugh again. There should be more men like you in the world. Thanks for being my brother ♥️
Christie, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers ??
My daughter and I send our deepest condolences to you all! We loved Jimmy. He was our family! And one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known! We had some great conversations and he is deeply missed by so many!
Our hearts are broken from the loss of this great man. We wish We would’ve told him more often how much we loved and appreciated who he was. Our prayers are with the family every minute. We love you all and want you to know that Jimmy was deeply loved and appreciated much by his family at Hilltoppers Swim Club
I am so very saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was an awesome brother in law and always a good friend to me. Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolances. May God rest his soul!! RIP Jimmy!!! ?❤? Prayers to the entire family.
Greatly saddened at the news of Jimmy Joe’s passing. Sending condolences to the family during this difficult time.
Jim and Carol, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for the Cange family.
Maureen Richter
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss just know your in my thoughts and prayers ??
Christie, we’re so sorry for your loss. We’re thinking of you and your family. In love and peace, Ann & Chris
Our hearts are broken at the loss of our dear friend. He was such a good, selfless man and would do anything for anyone. Our swim team at hilltoppers would not have a pool to swim I if not for Jimmy. He will be missed more than words can say.
Jimmy came into our lives when we needed him most. He has helped to save our pool and our swim team, but brought us so much more. Always smiling, he loved to watch the kids and families enjoy Hilltoppers while he sat thinking of his next improvement project. We owe him so much. He will be greatly missed!
Jimmy was my best friend! I will miss him dearly. He and I would sit on the front porch and relax and talk about fixing things all the time. He was always there for me and for everyone and never asked a sole for anything. I will miss him so much. Thank you, Jimmy for being you!
I’m not sure what I am going to do without you, Jimmy. You were a rock, always. You rarely (haha) complained about anything and when you did it was usually things I forgot to do! I’m going to miss your smile and your friendly reminder texts and always telling me to call because you hated texting. I’m going to miss your pop up BBQ’s and meals you’d surprise everyone with. The lifeguards at the pool are going to miss you even more because you were always there to do their work or to teach them how to do it right! I can never thank your parents enough for bringing you into this world and I can only say you were taken away way too fast. I love you, Jimmy and I miss you already so much.
Such a selfless man who chose to donate countless hours to make sure every single person at Hilltoppers got to enjoy their summers to the fullest. Always doing work with a smile on his face, something we should all strive to do.
Jimmy was definitely one of a kind! He was an amazing friend for my Dad when he needed it most. He will miss him terribly. I cant imagine Hilltoppers without Jimmy. I laugh every time I think about those kids who broke in And met Jimmy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jimmy spent so much time trying to make life better for other people, he was so kind and always there to support you. He never failed to check in on me and give me positive affirmations that I could do great things. Jimmy taught me so much, from how to back wash the pool to how to get the power washer to turn on. I am not sure what we are going to do with out him and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and love to the family in this hard time.
Absolutely heartbreaking! Hilltoppers will never be quite the same! Jimmy, I can hear you now saying “Dane, you’re going to get in trouble” for the shenanigans he’s constantly into 🙂 Fly high, my friend! Til we meet again!
Jimmy we will miss your kind and gentle heart. The kids loved having you around. You never missed a moment to be patient and teach them how to take care of the pool. You were selfless and never wined or was angry. You were always so grateful when we brought you things no matter what it was.
We are so sorry for your loss.
I am sorry to hear of your son’s passing. What a fine man and a good heart. Prayers for him and the Cange family are in our hearts. Bud Zipfel
Jimmy was such a great person. Very quiet and subdued. So friendly to everyone and his generosity knew no bounds. He adopted Hilltoppers and we are so grateful for all he did. Wishing his family the best and my prayers are with you.
Carol and Jim,
Chuck and I are so saddened to learn of your son’s passing. I’ve read the wonderful comments about Jimmy and how he helped people and was loved by all. May God Bless and be with you, Jim and your family.
Dear Carol and family,
I am from the Dorchester Swim & Tennis Club family and got to know Jimmy about 16 years ago when he would deliver chlorine. We would talk about the olden days in Belleville and I found out you were his mother and then told him I use to work with you at St. Elizabeth’s. He said he also knew my dad Wade Brunsmann. What a kind, gentle and giving person he was. I will miss him dearly and all of the wonderful things he helped us with at Dorchester. Please know that your family is in our prayers. RIP Jimmy!
Sharon Brunsmann Reiher