Jim Gajewski

Mr. Leonard James “Jim” Gajewski of Nashville, departed this life at his residence on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 8:06 AM surrounded by his loving family. He had attained the age of 73 years, 7 months and 4 days.

Jim was born in Richview, on September 5, 1942, the son of Andrew and Irene (nee Schultz) Gajewski. He was united in marriage to Inga (nee Kolbinger) Andrus on July 28, 1976, and she survives his passing. Jim and Inga would have celebrated their 40th anniversary this July.

Jim attended grade school at St. Michael’s School in Radom, and graduated in 1960 from Nashville Community High School. Jim served his country in the United States Army, serving in Germany in the early 1960’s along the Berlin Wall during the Cold War Era. He returned home after serving in the Army to assist with the family farm during his father’s extended illness. Along with farming, Jim worked as a machinist for the National Mine Service Company in Nashville, was co-owner of Reaban’s Restaurant in Nashville and was later employed as the Chief Water Operator and then Superintendent of the City of Nashville Water Plant until his retirement in 2004. Jim was honored with an award as Operator of the Year for the State of Illinois in 1995. He was a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church in Nashville.

Jim loved spending time with his family, and enjoyed the outdoors. He spent many years enjoying his horses and horseback riding with his wife Inga and good friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, running his beagles and fox hounds, growing strawberries and gardening; and in the past several years he enjoyed retirement at his farm, “The Yagerhof” with his dogs, cats, and farm animals.

Jim is survived by his wife, Inga of Nashville; six children, Gail Moore of Nashville, Tenn., Teri Horsley and husband Mike of Nashville, Tenn., Kurt Gajewski and wife Carol of Trenton, Gitta Brink and husband Brian Trout of O’Fallon, Mike Andrus of Hoyleton, and Tim Andrus of Irvington; nine grandchildren, Ian Moore and wife Jessica, Garret and Sean Moore, Andrew and Lydia Gajewski, Helena and Sam Horsley, Ryan Brink and wife Lauren and Jordan Brink and wife Bridget; three great grandchildren, Mia and Jaxson Moore, and Wyatt Brink; a sister, Mary Ann Borowiak and husband Lee of Nashville; a brother, Robert Gajewski of Dallas, Texas; a sister-in-law, Carol Gajewski and a brother-in-law, Adam Suchomski; 19 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews as well as a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kenneth Gajewski; a sister, Audrey Suchomski; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernst and Elisabeth Kolbinger; three sisters-in-law, June Gajewski, Rose Kozuszek and Lydia Kolbinger; two brothers-in-law, Hubert and Franz Kolbinger; a niece, Joyce Gaggstatter; and a grandson, Jason Brink.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Ann Catholic Church in Nashville on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Andy Knopik officiating. Interment will be in the Masonic Cemetery in Nashville. Military graveside rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 110 of Nashville.

Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Friday from 7:30 AM until 9:30 AM. The Rosary will be recited at the Campagna Funeral Home on Thursday at 7:30 P.M.

Should friends desire, mass offerings or memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Kidney Foundation or to the charity of the donor’s choice and will be accepted by Campagna Funeral Home.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com

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