Pam A. James
- Visitation Dates and Times
Friday, May 22, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Moss Funeral Home ~ Trenton
Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
First United Methodist Church ~ Trenton
- Service Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Service Time
10:00 a.m.
- Service Location
First United Methodist Church ~ Trenton
- Full Obituary
Pamela A. James, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to everyone she met, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026 at Barnes Jewish Hospital.
Pam fought the good fight to stay with her family a little longer. But, after 80 days in the hospitals since Christmas with no more help available for her, she was tired of fighting. The doctors and nurses at all the hospitals commented that no matter what they had to do for her treatments, she always remembered to thank them, no matter how much pain was involved.
Pam was born in Breese, Illinois, August 12, 1950, the daughter of Herbert and Paula Johnson-Nothaus, who preceded her. She is survived by her husband of almost 53 years, Tom - her three sons, Brian of Trenton, Illinois; Brandon of Huntsville, Alabama; and Brent (Nikki) of St. Jacob, Illinois - and her stepmother June Townsend-Nothaus She is also survived by her siblings: Paulette Nothaus-Horsman (Tom) of Savage, Minnesota; Neil Nothaus (Kathy) of Huey, Illinois; and Patti Nothaus-Baer (Brad) of Collinsville, Illinois. She is survived by her brother-in-law John James (Gina) Of Eldorado, Illinois.
She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cecil and Sue Mansell-James late of Eldorado, Illinois.
Of all the ones she loved during her life, the ones who took over the top spots were her grandchildren, Elena Marie and Joseph Warren James. And, of all the children she taught over her career, she was happiest to have Elena and Joe attend MawMaw’s preschool in a classroom she set up for them at her home.
Pam was a well-respected elementary teacher. After earning a masters degree in Spanish at SIU in 1971, she decided to teach. Her career began at Egyptian School District in Tamms, Illinois. After she and Tom were married and they moved to Trenton, Illinois, in 1974, she began teaching at Scott Elementary, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Most of her time there, and later at Patriots Landing Elementary, was spent teaching first grade where she was most proud of her ability as a reading teacher. She had an unwavering belief that she could help all her students reach their potential.
A funeral service will be Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Trenton with Pastor Rena Whitcher officiating. Burial will follow at Trenton Cemetery.
A visitation is scheduled Friday, May 22, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Trenton, Illinois, and again Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Trenton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trenton First United Methodist Church and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home 105 S. Main St., Trenton, IL 62293, who is serving the family.
“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” Anonymous
