OBITUARY James Francis Maserang September 19, 1943 – August 30, 2018 James Francis Maserang (75) died peacefully Wednesday, August 30, 2018 at his home in Belleville, Illinois. Jim was born on September 19, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA, son of the late Vincent and Beverley (nee Nicholson) Maserang. He was raised primarily in Millstadt, Illinois and for a short time in Florida.
Growing up he was active in the Boy Scouts, attended St. James Catholic School and worked at his father’s business. When he turned 18, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country proudly for over 20 years, achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. While on active duty, he served in Viet Nam, guarded the US Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, trained newly minted Marines as an instructor at the Advanced Infantry Training school; led the Marine Detachment on board the USS America aircraft carrier, and served in various leadership roles during assignments in Japan; California; Illinois; North Carolina and Virginia.
In 1982, Jim retired from the Marines and began work as a Security and Public Safety Officer with Monsanto Company in the Sauget, Illinois plant. He worked there and formed lasting friendships with many people until he retired in 2005. Jim was an active musician and member of the local Ainad Shriners Drum and Bugle Corps where he served as secretary and earned accolades with their distinguished Corpsman of the Year Award.
Over the years, he performed in hundreds of parades and concerts and worked numerous circus events raising money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Jim was a devoted husband and father. He married his wife of 46 years, MaryAnn (Christmann) Maserang on July 29, 1972.
Together they raised five children during a busy life of military transfers back and forth across the country. Jim was preceded in death by his son, Timothy James Maserang; his father, Vincent Maserang; his mother, Beverley Maserang; his step-mother, Ann Maserang; a brother, David Maserang; and his in-laws, Kermit and Ruth Christmann. Surviving are his wife: MaryAnn of Belleville, Illinois and children: Michelle (Damian) Sandheinrich of Hopkinsville, KY; Stacy (Matt Eschman – fiancée) Munro of Belleville, IL; Jeff (Kim) Maserang of Webster Groves, MO and Carrie Maserang of Swansea, IL; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth (Nick) Szabo; Bryan Munro; Sarah (Colton) Butler; Alexis (Cody) Clark; Christian Sandheinrich; Landon Maserang; and Jonah Maserang; and three great-grandchildren: Aiden Clark; Tristan Szabo; and Lucas Szabo, and a number of dear relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a charitable contribution on Jim’s behalf may support one of these organizations: Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children (PTOEC). Additional condolences and memories may be shared online at www. lakeviewfuneralhm.com Visitation: Friends and family may call at Lake View Funeral Home at 5000 North Illinois Street in Fairview Heights, IL from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
Funeral: Services will be held the following day at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Lake View Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.
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