Jimmy “Bevo” Calvin Bivens, 85, of Caseyville, IL, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
Jim was the first baby born in Saint Louis, MO, in 1936 to Everett and Lucille (Newton) Bivens. Jim lived a lifetime of hard work, dedication, and fun. He was a man of service, serving his town, country, and most importantly, his family.
Jim was a Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean War. He then married the love of his life, Jeanine. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. Jim led a dedicated career with the Illinois State Police for 30 years. Following his retirement, he started Jim Bivens’ Investigations, which he ran for 26 years.
During his lifetime, Jim devoted his time, energy, and talents to the Caseyville VFW, where he served as commander (five years), as well as the Village of Caseyville (Trustee 20 years). Additionally, he volunteered on numerous committees, clubs, and organizations.
In between his work, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved taking his kids and grandchildren fishing, hunting, and traveling. He and Jeanine visited 46/50 states and several trips abroad, though his most cherished times were spent with his family on the beach in Orange Beach, AL, a place that had his infinite love. He was loved, trusted, and cherished by many.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents
- Brothers
- John Bivens
- Bill Bivens
Surviving are his:
- Loving wife: Jeanine, nee Wingerter, Bivens
- 4 children
- Jimmy W. (Linda) Bivens
- Susan Dieu
- Patrick Bivens
- David (Christine) Bivens
- 9 grandchildren
- Jaclynn (Steven) Moore
- Ashley Bivens
- Brandon (Kristen) Dieu
- Brienne (Ryan) Cason
- Taylor Bivens
- Brhett (Christopher) Willis
- Erin Bivens
- Jenna Bivens
- Kelsey Bivens
- 10 great-grandchildren
- 2 brothers
- Jack (Kay) Bivens
- Robert (Martha) Bivens
- 2 sisters
- Ioan Alms
- Linda (Don) Stallman
- Numerous nieces and nephews, and too many friends to name.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Jim can be made to any of the following organizations: Caseyville United Methodist Church in Caseyville, IL, VFW Post 1117, Caseyville, IL, or the Caseyville Volunteer Fire Department.
Visitation: Visitation from 1-6pm, Saturday January 8, 2022 at Kurrus Home in Belleville, IL, with a V.F.W. walk-through at 5pm.
Service: Celebration of Life will be held from 3-7pm, Sunday, January 9, 2022 at VFW Post 1117 in Caseyville, IL. Military honors will be held at 4pm by the U.S. Marines.
Special Thanks: The Bivens family would like to extend a special thank you to the organizations that provided such excellent services and care throughout our journey – Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Family Hospice of Belleville, and the Caseyville Fire and Police Departments.
32 Comments To "Jimmy “Bevo” Calvin Bivens"
#1 Comment By Cyndi Dyson Bohley On December 29, 2021 @ 11:47 am
Jeanine,
I am so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family.
May is rest in peace.
#2 Comment By Betty Wagner On December 29, 2021 @ 1:20 pm
The Chester High School class of 1953 sends our condolence to Jeanine and the family. Rest in Peace, Jim.
#3 Comment By Terry Zeisset On December 29, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
Jim was a pleasure to work with, a true gentleman and a person who cared for everyone. Thank you for your service to the country, state and community. May the Lord bless and keep Jim by His side.
Terry Zeisset, Ret. Lt. D#11, ISP.
#4 Comment By Patsie Lindsey Hopkins On December 29, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
Jeanine & Family – my very deepest sympathy. Bevo was so special! So much love to you all.
#5 Comment By Don Moore On January 8, 2022 @ 12:23 am
Dear Mrs. Bivens, I am so sorry for your loss and the loss to your family. Your husband made am impression on me back when I was a teenager, and that impression was that he was a good hearted man, a man that like to laugh, and a man that liked to have fun. But there was more, because I would think of “respect” when I thought of him. Something about him that a person could tell that this man deserves to be respected. RIP and Semper Fi Marine.
#6 Comment By Victor Morris On December 29, 2021 @ 8:42 pm
Jim was the most tenacious Investigator I ever knew. You really didn’t want Jim Bivens on your case. I and many others learned a lot from Jim in DCI. He was a funny, wonderful guy, great husband and father.
He was a friend and mentor.
They don’t make cops like him anymore.
God Bless Jim and his entire family.
#7 Comment By Chris Hudzik On December 29, 2021 @ 9:12 pm
I did not know Jim personally but I just wanted to thank him for his service. Sending his family strength at this difficult time….🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
#8 Comment By Keith Haberer On December 29, 2021 @ 9:46 pm
A man I so looked up to as I started my career in th 70’s. Had the honor to work with both Jim and his son David on Major Case Squad call outs. Wonderful gentleman with a wonderful family. Keith Haberer.
#9 Comment By Myron Miller On December 29, 2021 @ 10:28 pm
Jeanine and Family, sorry to here of Jim’s passing. Our thoughts and prays are with you and your family.
#10 Comment By Gail and Bob Miles On December 30, 2021 @ 8:26 am
Jim will be greatly missed. We are sending you our condolences.
#11 Comment By Nicki On December 30, 2021 @ 9:26 am
I will surely miss his teasing ways, I sounded like we didn’t like each other which is so not true! I loved this man very much. My heart goes out to the family for the loss of a wonderful man. Rest in peace Jimmy
#12 Comment By Mark Shalenko On December 30, 2021 @ 10:19 am
Jimmy and Sue so sorry for the loss of your father God bless you and your family.
#13 Comment By Michael & Florence Gaynor On December 30, 2021 @ 11:24 am
Jeanine & Family we are so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a fine man who will be missed by everyone who had the honor of having known him as well as his family who he was so very proud of having. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you.
#14 Comment By Deborah Gerler On December 30, 2021 @ 12:51 pm
I am so sorry for your loss! I remember him from his time as a trooper in Chester! Such a caring man.
#15 Comment By Tom Clark On December 30, 2021 @ 3:22 pm
My sincere condolences to all of the family and friends in this time of sorrow. I was and remain proud to have worked with Jim at the VFW. He was an honest and sincere man in a time where both seem lacking.
May God welcome our Commander with open arms. Amen
#16 Comment By paul Barrett On December 31, 2021 @ 12:21 pm
What a great man he was, We will all miss him.
#17 Comment By gene smith On January 1, 2022 @ 9:31 am
you never had a friend until jim bivens was your friend. the greatest guy i’ve ever had the honor to know! will surely miss you buddy.
#18 Comment By John Krakowiecki On January 1, 2022 @ 9:41 am
I’m Proud to say I’ve known this Great Man for only a Few Years, “A Great Friend” and fellow Veteran. So Sorry to Hear about his Passing. I can Only Think that God Needed him More, In Heaven!
#19 Comment By Rick McCain On January 1, 2022 @ 5:42 pm
One of the best men I ever had the pleasure to meet. A man to look up to. Rest In Peace.
#20 Comment By Richard Gillespie On January 1, 2022 @ 9:00 pm
A man of integrity!! RIP- Marine!
#21 Comment By Sally Barkus On January 2, 2022 @ 5:44 am
BIVENS FAMILY,
My heart breaks each moment I think of y’all. The memories I have & hold in my heart completely fill my heart up with love. I’m so blessed to have had y’all as my 2nd family growing up. My parents completely adored each of you. I’m so glad I went to see him a month ago. He told me how he loved each of you. I can’t tell you how he filled my heart up. I love him so much. I will see you soon to hold your heart as we say good bye… 💓
#22 Comment By Patti Dieu On January 2, 2022 @ 5:08 pm
My heart is broken, he was a great & honorable man. He will be missed by many. How lucky you are to have called him dad and grandpa. Prayers for you all.
#23 Comment By Joe Stambaugh On January 2, 2022 @ 8:18 pm
My deepest sympathies go out to the family. May God give everyone the peace that they seek. His memories are what give us strength to keep moving on…. May His soul rest in peace.
#24 Comment By Sgt.Ron Borkowski Ret. On January 2, 2022 @ 9:33 pm
A Cops Cop
#25 Comment By Linda Foehrkolb On January 3, 2022 @ 6:07 am
So sorry to hear about this, Jeanine and family. It’s been a few years since I worked with him and you (doing your business accounting) but I have thought about you from time to time and asked how he and you were doing. When I heard he wasn’t in the best of health, he was in my prayers. He was so obviously a fine man that I am sure you and your family will miss greatly. Prayers for all of you.
#26 Comment By Nick Colbert On January 3, 2022 @ 7:20 pm
Bevo can still put a smile on my face just by remembering some of our antics in high school, then moving on to our time in the Marine Corps together. One weekend comes to mind. I think it was the weekend before he left for Korea, one to remember, for I was headed that way about a month later. We laughed until we cried as I recall. Then our time at SIU together. Thanks my friend for a lifetime of wonderful memories. My deepest sympathies to all the family. And Semper Fi jarhead.
#27 Comment By Bob Flake On January 5, 2022 @ 6:54 am
Jimmy Blvens back in the 70’s was an Instructor of mine at the Illinois Police Academy and then later as I earned my Masters degree at Webster University. A man of Honor with a sense of humor . . . truly a class act!
#28 Comment By Kathy & Bob Vallina On January 5, 2022 @ 11:52 am
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He gave it his all….but God took him anyway. Jim was the nicest Commander I have ever known. He made everyone feel welcome and also had a great sense of humor at the same time. He will be missed by many! Deepest sympathy and prayers for Jeanine and the rest of his family.
#29 Comment By Melissa Streif Kaemmerer On January 6, 2022 @ 4:18 pm
Condolences and deepest sympathy from your friends and neighbor at Vandalia Bus Lines. The Streif Family.
#30 Comment By Pat Lackey On January 7, 2022 @ 4:58 pm
Mr. Bivens was such a good example for us growing up. He will be missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting him.
#31 Comment By Phillip Pete Sawyer On January 8, 2022 @ 9:04 am
My dad always had the upmost respect for Jim. He knew him when he was at ISP. Dad said he was a great trooper.
Dave and family you have our Deepest Sympathy. You all are in our thoughts and prayers God Bless
#32 Comment By Mike Crouch Pontoon Beach Retired. On January 9, 2022 @ 7:45 pm
Jim was a great guy and an excellent trooper and investigator. Loved working with him a Jim and Linda. God bless the family and RIP Jim. See u again.