Rest in Peace, James Beert

Jim and Jorja Beert

Obituary for James J. Beert
Coal Valley, Illinois

James J. Beert, 70, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Friday, September 26, 2014, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Jim DeBisschop officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, where there will be a Prayer Service at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert R. Jones Library in Coal Valley.

James Joseph Beert was born October 27, 1943, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Albert David and Bertha (Wulffaert) Beert. He served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He married Jorja L. Hepner on September 21, 1968, in Moline. 

Jim worked for Coal Valley State Bank, starting in 1971 when it was just a trailer in the corn fields. He worked for the bank for 17 years until it was sold. He then worked as a mail carrier for the Bettendorf Post Office for 16 years, retiring in 2010. After retirement, he enjoyed working part time for Milan Auto Auction. 

He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Coal Valley, was Past-President and served on the board of the Robert R. Jones Library for over 28 years, and had been a member of the Coal Valley Lion’s Club and coached softball for Dad’s Club.

Jim collected 1950’s and 1960’s die cast classic and muscle cars, and memorabilia. He also loved his chow-chow dogs over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Jorja, of Coal Valley; a daughter, Jamie Beert of Salt Lake City, Utah; a son, Jason Beert of Rapid City, South Dakota; grandsons, Logan and Hudson Beert; his mother, Bertha Beert of East Moline, Illinois; a son-in-law, Brad Garrison of Salt Lake City; one nephew; and five nieces including Amy Beert of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who donated a kidney to Jim in 2007. He was preceded in death by his father, and brothers, Ronald and Gerald Beert.

Visit Jim’s personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a free candle in his memory.

Honored for his service to the library.

Forty-seven years of marriage.