Jimmy Joe Munro, 89, passed away peacefully in his home on April 2, 2021 with his family by his side. He was born and grew up in Belleville with 7 siblings and a neighborhood full of friends. Jim had many good times herding goats, climbing trees, riding bikes and playing baseball.
Jim entered the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Afterwards, he joined the family-owned Munro Machine Shop where he honed his skills as a machinist which he used throughout his career. He ended his machinist career at Anheuser Busch as a head machinist. Before retiring Jim shared his knowledge and skills with students at Belleville Area College.
Jim was also involved in many benevolent organizations including Boy Scouts, American Legion, V.F.W., Scottish Rite, Ainad Shrine, and Masons. Jim supported his sons in Boy Scouts and coached their baseball teams. While his sons were members of the Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps he logged many miles in his van touring the country with the group. He served as Worshipful Master for Free and Accepted Masons and Worthy Parton for Order of the Eastern Star.
Jim was a dear husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, brother and friend. Jim loved playing pinocle with his siblings and was always ready to share a joke. Jim enjoyed bowling with his buddies. He dreamed of flying as a young man. Jim worked hard to realize his dream owning his own plane and took many trips around the country.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ruth, nee Foster, Munro, two sisters, Ruth Nochta and Virginia Edmonson, a brother, Ross and 2 sons, John and Jerry Munro. He is survived by his bride of 46 years, Sharon, nee Dietz; children Jimmy Munro (special friend Lisa) of Troy, IL, Jane (Jess) Crum of Edwardsville, IL, Cris Munro of Glen Carbon, IL, Sherry Munro of Benld, IL, Brian Foree of Troy, IL, and Kathleen (Bobby) Joyce of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Joel (Heather) Munro, Colin (Elizabeth) Munro, Brian (Allie) Alderson, Nicole (Ben) Thompson, Danny (Sami) Munro, Jeremy (Tracy) Bailey, Amanda (Billy) Harshbarger, Tavis (Sara) Munro, Joshua Crum, Melissa (Aaron) Davies, Brandon Jones, Courtney Olson, Clayton Jones, Matthew Foree and J.D. Foree and 22 great grandchildren. Dear brother to Ethel Murphy, Delores Hermanson, Norma (Adrian) Croissant, and Earl (Judy) Murno.
Jim will be interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MICHEL FUNERAL HOME.
Uncle Jim was a great guy. He took the Munro clan down one Thanksgiving to the airport, giving many their first air flight. I’m sure in retrospect that also enabled him to keep his hours current a pilot.
Remember another flight he took Jane & I on to visit the great aunts & uncle in Arkansas. Sure glad Jane rode in the front passenger seat. The back seat allowed me to be further from the treetops, more!
We’ll miss you!