James Malcolm Brummet

James (Jim) Malcolm Brummet, age 97, of Mattoon, IL, passed away on December 31, 2023, in St. Peters, MO. His funeral service will be at noon, Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938 with his grandson, Pastor Drew Brummet, officiating. Burial will follow at Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by Mattoon VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be held just prior to the service starting at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Jim was born June 11, 1926, in Minier, IL, the son of George Otto and Iva Talitha Smith Brummet. He married the love of his life, Marilyn Bratt, on July 2, 1950, in Washburn, IL. She passed away on July 13, 2017. Surviving family members include his three children: Connie (Robert) Trefzger of Bloomington, IL, David (Zola) Brummet of Wrightwood, CA, and Mark (Mary) Brummet of St. Charles, MO; eight grandchildren: Dayne (Tatiana) Brummet, Sarah Trefzger, Evan Brummet, Aaron Brummet, Drew (Hope) Brummet, Chelsea Brummet, Lindsey (Christian Kostrewski) Brummet, and Ross (Joyce) Brummet; 16 great grandchildren; a brother Dale (Betty) Brummet; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his infant daughter Mary Ann, his sister and her husband Doris (R. Eugene) Kunkle, his other brothers and their wives R. Lee (Eldora) Brummet, Berthal (Ruby) Brummet, Owen (Jane) Brummet, and a grandson Paul Trefzger. Jim grew up in a family of eight during the Great Depression years in the Central Illinois communities of Minier and Washburn, where his father taught school and coached high school sports. While Jim always said they were “well loved, well fed, and well clothed,” he and his siblings did not have luxuries or extras growing up, which inspired them to become quite innovative in making up their own games and hand-making many of their own toys out of various odds and ends they could find. Although not rich in possessions in those days, Jim always felt that he was rich in family and friends, and learned to appreciate the values that were instilled in him from his upbringing and early experiences. Jim was an athlete during his high school years, playing a variety of sports, but particularly focused on basketball. He graduated from Washburn High School in 1944, and by October of that year he was inducted into the US Army. Jim honorably served during WWII in the European Theater as a foot soldier in the US 3rd Army under the command of Gen. George Patton, crossing over the Rhine River into Germany on a pontoon bridge behind the tanks in March of 1945. Jim was awarded the Purple Heart when he was wounded in action as his division cleared out pockets of Nazi resistance to help end the war. Upon his return to the States, Jim attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a degree in Industrial Education in 1949. He continued his schooling at Bradley University, obtaining his Masters in Industrial Education there in 1951. Jim worked as an educator for 31 years, the first 7 years in Arlington Heights and the remainder in the Mattoon school district. Jim’s specialty was teaching industrial arts at both the Junior High and High School levels. His last 4 years of teaching were focused on running the Building Trades program, doing hands-on teaching of Mattoon High School students as they built homes from the ground up in the community as part of their classwork. After his retirement from teaching, Jim Brummet partnered with his longtime friend and co-worker Jim Love in the full-time contract-remodeling business in the Mattoon area. Previously, they had spent many summers together doing house painting and home repair work when school was not in session. Jim loved to be active and was never content to sit idle. He was a prolific builder, and especially enjoyed working in his shop to create special items and gifts for family members and friends. Jim prided himself on making things of high and lasting quality, and he continued this practice into his 90s. His hand-made furniture items are considered prized possessions. When not working, Jim was an avid game watcher and player, cheering on the Illinois Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals, and especially enjoying card and board games with family and friends. He was a member of Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon, and was a faithful Christian who was always at the ready to serve where needed. Most of all, Jim was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished each and every individual in his family. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched. Memorial in his honor may be made to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation METS Program, 1000 Health Center Dr., P.O. Box 372, Mattoon, IL 61938, or a charity of the donor's choice. For those who are unable to attend, a tribute cast of his life will be available at www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome .

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James Malcolm Brummet

June 11, 1926 - December 31, 2023