James "Jim" William Schenk, Sr., Lt. Col., USAF (retired), age 84, of O'Fallon, Ill., born April 21, 1936 in St. Paul, Minn., to William Henry Schenk and Laura Irene, nee Runyon, Schenk, passed away December 25, 2020, in the comfort of his home.

Growing up in Minnesota, Jim began his religious studies as a teenager, studying for the priesthood, and attended seminary 1958-61. He earned his BA in Philosophy and Psychology at Quincy College in Quincy, Ill., before otherwise committing to a life of service in the US Air Force. His 28 years of military service (1962 – 1990) included flying as a navigator aboard various aircraft with over 7,000 flying hours and 1,240 combat hours.

He earned his MA in Correctional Counseling from Chapman College in 1974, which prepared him for his post-military career as a Drug Addiction counselor, working with teenagers at Chestnut Health Systems in Maryville, Ill., until his retirement in 2012.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Lynn Curley.

Surviving are his wife Patricia "Pat," nee O'Connor, Schenk, whom he married June 30, 1962 in Needham, Mass.; his son James "Rusty" (Karlene) Schenk, of Monument, Colo., daughter Teresa "Terri" (Kathleen Harvey) Schenk of Shiloh, Ill.; four grandchildren Gregory Schenk, Shannon Schenk and twins Thomas and Evan Harvey; and his sister Kathleen Fitch.

The Schenk family is especially grateful to Cindy Orscheln, RN, a Palliative Care Specialist with BJC, who helped smooth the way for Jim to be in his own home for Christmas. Memorial donations are suggested to O'Fallon Food Pantry, and may be mailed to the funeral home.

The family will hold private memorial services, and he will be laid to rest with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.