James E. “Jim” Himmelberg, 86, of Gilliam died Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the University of Missouri Hospital & Clinics in Columbia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, with Rev. Francis Doyle officiating.  Burial will be in Gilliam Cemetery, with Tim Barringhaus, Kevin Barringhaus, Ben Toebben, Mike Himmelberg, Danny Himmelberg, and Darren Toebben serving as pallbearers.  Visitation will be from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Gilliam Cemetery in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Born January 5, 1938 in rural Gilliam, he was the son of the late John V. and Bernadine Brand Himmelberg.  On July 20, 1974 in Jacksonville, Illinois, he married Brenda K. Stephenson, and she preceded him in death December 31, 2019.

He is survived by a son, Jason Himmelberg of Gilliam; a daughter, Jamie Toebben and her husband Darren of Warrenton, Missouri; two grandchildren, Ben and Rhianne Toebben; and a sister, Sister Anna Marie Himmelberg CPPS of O’Fallon, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by a brother, John Himmelberg.

Mr. Himmelberg was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater.  He farmed in rural Gilliam for many years, and had worked for the G.M. & O. Railroad as a brakeman, later as an engineer, before retiring from the I.C.G. Railroad in 1987.  He was in the United States Army Reserve.