James Robert "Jim" Ames, 62, of Caseyville, Ill., born March 29, 1953, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at his home.

Jim worked as a boilermaker for 31 years at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He was a member of the Caseyville Library Board. He enjoyed archeology and often volunteered at Cahokia Mounds State Park. He also belonged to the Hudson Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Eugene and Roberta, nee Ivens, Ames; a brother, Ronald; and two sisters, Lynn and Sue.

Surviving are his wife, Sherry, nee Wille, Ames, whom he married on Jan. 29, 1999; son, Josh (Kristi) Rice of Alton, Ill.; grandchildren, Kamryn Rice and Gavyn Heisner and Tristan, Hannah, Logan and Connor Walsh; sister-in-law, Sue Ames of Springfield, Ill.; brother, Bill (Virginia) Ames of Tucson, Ariz.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Wille of Highland, Ill.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob and Bev Wille of Troy, Ill., Jim and Joan Wille of St. Jacob, Ill., and Patty and Robert Kindhart of Highland, Ill.

Memorials may be made to the Caseyville Library or Cahokia Mounds.

There will be a gathering of friends and family from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday March 19, 2016 at the Herr Funeral Home in Caseyville, Ill.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the funeral home with Rev. Roger Wright officiating.