- Date Of Birth: March 22, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 29, 2023
- State: Missouri
James Weber “Jim” Kimler, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, great-uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and friend to many passed on into life eternal in the early morning of Sunday, January 29, 2023 in O’Fallon Missouri. Jim was born to Mary Elizabeth “Lois” Sellinger (Weber) on March 22, 1935 in Belleville, Illinois. Growing up in Overland, Missouri with his Great Uncle’s family, Jim worked for his Dad’s concrete company from a young age and learned the skills of a good work ethic, hard labor, and a job well-done. These traits carried on throughout his life. Jim attended Ritenour High School and won two Missouri State Wrestling Championship titles before graduating. He attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he continued wrestling and was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Jim graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacology and became a Registered Pharmacist. He remained a Boilermaker supporter for life.
After college, Jim served in the United States Army National Guard in Washington state before
settling in O’Fallon, Missouri. Jim worked at Art’s Drug and married his wife Frances Ann Kercher Kimler. They celebrated 58 years together in marriage and raised three children. After 37 years of owning and operating the business, Jim retired, but continued working at other pharmacies until he was 82 years old. He believed strongly in serving his clients and made home deliveries for years any time of the day or night when the need arose.
A true outdoorsman, Jim loved quail hunting, fishing and training bird dogs. He was an avid participant in Field Trials – a tradition he shared with his wife and kids. Jim enjoyed golf and had many wonderful years on the links both near and as far away as Scotland and South Africa. Cherished family time was spent on the water at the Lake of the Ozarks or in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and provided lifelong memories for all.
Jim had a generous heart and made himself available to offer his support when he could. Whether it be a customer in need, a stranger broken down on the highway or someone he had passed walking on the road. Jim went so far as to stop and offer them a ride and continue to transport them when they called for several years following. Jim was a giver. He was a supporter of Shriner’s Hospital for Children for years and always encouraged his family to donate to “The 100 Neediest Cases” in the St. Louis area for Christmas rather than gift him anything at all.
