Jim W. Menz Sr.

Jim W. Menz, Sr., 71, of Perryville, Missouri, formerly of Bourbonnais, Illinois, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, surrounded by family, at his home. He was born March 6, 1953, in Kankakee, Illinois, to Leo "Red" and Pansy Howell Menz. He and Mina Blanchette were married August 14, 1993, at the Exline Sportsman Club in Bourbonnais. Jim drove 30 years for Federal Express, first in Bourbonnais, and later in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was a longtime member of the Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge, Missouri; Kankakee Masonic Lodge #389 A.F. & A.M.; and Valley of Danville Scottish Rite. Jim especially enjoyed breeding and raising Registered Black Hereford Cattle, bass fishing, watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, and trail riding in earlier years. To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife of 31 years, Mina Blanchette Menz of Perryville; two sons, Jimmy Menz Jr. (Kristen Krieg) of Lowell, Indiana and Jeffrey Menz of Bradley, Illinois; grandchildren, Josephine, Margaret, and Lorelai, Jimmy III, Hunter and Rowan; siblings, Melba (Steve) Groenewold of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Sharon (late Danny) Holland of Watseka, Illinois; Debbie (late Donald) Sims of Bourbonnais; and several nieces and nephews. Survivors on Mina's side of the family include her step-mother, Helen (late Maurice) Blanchette of Bourbonnais; her siblings: Mark (Mary Lou) Blanchette of Kankakee, Illinois; Myra (Jeff) Emme of Chebanse, Illinois; Mary (Dennis) Antosz of Kankakee; Merl Blanchette of Chebanse; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Red and Pansy Menz; a sister, Janet (Ron) Rooker; a brother, Joe Menz; Mina's father, Maurice Blanchette; Mina's mother, Myrna Yarno; and Mina's brother, Matt Blanchette. Under the direction of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center, arrangements are as follows: Visitation from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Cape County Cowboy Church, 220 Orchid Lane, Oak Ridge, MO 63769. The Rev. Jim Matthews will conduct the funeral service at 6 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at the church. Arrangements by Jensen Funeral Home, 3639 E IL-17, Kankakee, IL 60901 as follows: Visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the funeral home in Kankakee. Immediately following the visitation, the Rev. Mike Seed will conduct a graveside committal service at All Saints Cemetery, 1839 W. State Rt. 102, Bourbonnais, IL 60914. If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Cape County Cowboy Church.