James (Jim) Joseph Brueggeman – KA9EGM (SK)



Salem, IL, USA / South Central Illinois' News, Sports and Weather Station

Cole Wimberly

May 29, 2025 | 12:23 PM

 

James (Jim) Joseph Brueggeman, age 89, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025. He was born on July 25, 1935, in Marion County, Illinois, to the late Anthony William Brueggeman and Helen Cecelia Brueggeman.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna June Brueggeman; his brothers, Norbert Brueggeman and Larry Brueggeman; and his sisters, Francis Brueggeman, Rita Brueggeman, Anita Brueggeman, and Rosemary Brueggeman.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was raised on a dairy farm near Walnut Hill, Illinois, and graduated from Centralia High School in 1954. In 1970, he married Donna June, the love of his life and his closest companion. Together, they built a loving home and raised two sons, cherishing many years of family life until Donna’s passing in 2017.

Professionally, Jim was a talented and respected craftsman who spent much of his career at St. Mary’s Hospital. There, he played a key role in numerous remodeling projects and was especially known for his precision and artistry in custom cabinetry.

Jim had a lifelong passion for radio communication. His interest in CB radios began at an early age and deepened throughout his youth, eventually leading him to earn his ham radio license. Known by his call sign KA9EGM, Jim became a well-known and respected figure in the local ham radio community. He operated various radio systems and proudly maintained multiple radio towers at his home. This passion brought him not only great personal satisfaction but also a strong network of enduring friendships

Jim is survived by his two sons, Anthony Wayne Brueggeman (Pamela) and Jamie Lawrence Brueggeman (Stacy); and by his grandchildren, Nathan Joseph Brueggeman, Zachary Thomas Brueggeman, and Maximus Alexander Brueggeman.

Jim will be remembered for his integrity, quiet dedication, and his remarkable sense of contentment under all circumstances. He held a deep love for his family, friends, and lifelong interests. His legacy endures through the many lives he touched and the lasting memories he leaves behind.

https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/05/29/2025-0531-james-jim-joseph-brueggeman/#