James Ballhurst

James "Jimmy" E. Ballhurst Jr., 55, of Godfrey, IL., passed away on October 17, 2023, at Barnes Jewish Christian Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  Jimmy was born on December 1, 1967, in Alton, Illinois, the son of James and Judith (Koehne) Ballhurst. 

He served in the U.S. Navy where he drove a frigate during the Perisan Gulf War.  After the Navy, he went to college to complete his Bachelor's degree.  He retired from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville in 2022. 

He was a gentle, caring soul who always put everyone's needs above his own.  In his spare time, he liked playing piano and video games, as well as acting.  Above all, his nieces Kaitlyn and Stevie held the dearest places in James' heart.  He loved them dearly and spent many days playing games and baking homemade treats when they would come visit him after school.  He proudly wore the title of "Favorite Uncle", and he will be sorely missed by everyone who loved him. 

Jimmy is survived by his mother, Judith Ballhurst, of Godfrey, sister Kathleen Zirkelbach and her husband Brian of Godfrey, brother Robert Ballhurst and his wife Melissa of Blue Springs, MO, and three nieces, Kaitlyn Zirkelbach, Stevie Zirkelbach and Kristen Ballhurst. 

He was preceded in death by his father, James Ballhurst, Sr. 

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton where funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023. Deacon William Kessler will officiate. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to the 5A’s Animal Shelter. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home