James L. “Jim’ Wellen, 72, of Trenton died Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. 

He was born September 19, 1935 in Albers to Albert and Anna (Thuenemann) Wellen; they preceded him in death. 

Also preceded in death by a son Jeff Wellen; brothers, Alphonse Wellen, C. “Bud” Wellen, Alfred “Otto” Wellen, and Albert Wellen, Jr.; sisters, Eleanor Bertke, Bernadine Schaefer, Leona Singler, and Delores Wellen; brothers-in-law, Urban Bertke, Bob Singler, Msgr. Melvin Vandeloo, Sylvester “Beps” Kauling, Norman Vandeloo, and Marcellus “Teedle” Niemeyer; sisters-in-law Josephine Wellen and JoAnn Kauling. 

He married Paulette Vandeloo on September 30, 1961 at St. Mary Church in Carlyle; she survives in Trenton. 

Also surviving is his daughter, Jackie (Bryan) Peters of New Baden and grandchildren Zach and Bryanne Peters. 

A brothers-in-law, Jack Schaefer of Albers, Don (Lu) Vandeloo of Carlyle, and Bill (Virginia) Vandeloo of Carlyle and sisters-in-law, Ann Wellen of Canon City, Colorado, Anita Wellen of Albers, and Betty Niemeyer of Breese. 

Jim retired as a painter from the Painters District Council 58 in Collinsville, and he was a Former Trenton Volunteer Fireman, Former part-time Trenton Police Officer and part-time Clinton County Sheriff Deputy.  

He was a member of St. Mary Church, Painters District Council 58-Collinsville, Illinois Wildlife Foundation.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 9:30 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. James Dougherty officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Trenton. 

Visitation will be Friday, June 27, 2008 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 8:00-9:15 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton. 

Memorials can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or to St. Mary Church in Trenton and will be received at the funeral home. 

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to www.mossfuneralhome.com