Published on January 14, 2026 6:23 am
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 9:07 am
James A. “Jim” Mette, 78 of rural Effingham, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Willowbrook Memory Care in Effingham, surrounded by his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bishop Creek with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday at the church. Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.
Jim was born January 12, 1948 in Effingham, the son of Aloysius and Mathilda (Kroeger) Mette. He married Rita Ann Zuber on November 7, 1970 at the St. Joseph’s Church in Springtown. Jim worked for many years at World Color Press in Effingham and later retired from Sandschafer Electric in January of 2013. He was a lifetime member of the Effingham Knights of Columbus Council #665 and a member of St. Isidore Parish. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, tractor pulling, playing cards and going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. Above all else he cherished his family, finding his greatest joy in time spent together and the memories they created.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rita of 55 years; children, Rhonda (Ron) Deters of Teutopolis, Jennifer Mette (fiancé, Michael Thompson) of Stewardson, Brian Mette of Effingham, and Brad (Stacey) Mette of Dieterich; 14 grandchildren, Johnathon, Lucas, Brock, Josie, Madi, Thad, Tyler, Brody, Torey, Jordan, MaKenna, Colton, Lexie, and Sawyer; great-granddaughter, Willow; siblings, John (Janice) Mette, Eugene, Theresa Miller, Rose Sudkamp, Kathy (Rick) Mitchell, Alice (Dennis) Johnson, Mary (Rex) Allen, Rita Mette (friend, Tony Goeckner), and Janice (Bill) Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Robert Poe; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Norma J. Mette and Carolyn Poe; brothers-in-law, James Miller and Art Sudkamp.