James "Jim" Mihalich

Jim was born December 9, 1942, In Alton, IL, the son of Joseph and Laverne (Thomas) Mihalich. He married Mary Jane Stice on April 21, 1962, in Alton, IL; she preceded him in death on February 1, 2023, after 60 years of marriage.

Jim graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, IL in 1961 and attended SIU-Edwardsville. He retired from AT&T in 1994 as an executive in the Southwest District, then joined The River Bend Growth Association as its vice president. Jim was later appointed by Governor Jim Edgar as Madison County Guardian and Public Administrator, caring for court-appointed citizens’ personal and real care. In 1999, he and his wife formed a small fiber optic consulting business. In 2005, Jim and his wife moved to a small rural community in central Illinois (New Berlin) to be near their sons and their families. Jim and Jane continued their consulting business concentrating on small community development in central Illinois until their full retirement in 2022.

He served on several not-for-profit organizations as a member and board officer. Jim believed that you should give back to your community what you expect to receive from it. He enjoyed traveling in their motor home and/or by air to all points of the United States, particularly the Southwest. Jim enjoyed collector cars, his pride and joy was his 1953 Studebaker Street Rod. He had a zest for life and was well-liked by many people for his friendliness and caring nature. Jim was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and often said that he hoped he lived long enough to see Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols, and Yadier Molina enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Preceding him in death by his parents, his father was killed in WWII at the “Battle of the Bulge” when Jim was barely 2 years of age, and a sister, Carol Jean Wilson died prematurely.

Jim is survived by his sons, Ronald “Ron” (Amy) Mihalich of New Berlin and Gregory “Greg” (Jamie Burnett) Mihalich of Springfield; grandchildren, Colin of Milwaukee, WI, Ashley of Springfield, Clayton of Springfield, and Nicholas of Springfield; siblings, Joann (Nelson) Otwell of Moro, IL, Janet (Raymond) Gilleland of East Alton, IL, Teresa (Larry) Copeland of East Alton, IL, Jerry (Sharon) Wilson of Wood River, IL, and Michael Wilson of Wood River; IL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

According to his wishes, cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75817, Topeka, KS 66675-8517, Backstoppers, P. O. Box 795168, St. Louis, MO 63179-0700, or a charity of the donor’s choice.