Jimmie K. Behrends, 83, Brownstown

Jimmie Keith Behrends, 83, passed away on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, in Bloomington, with his daughters at his side.
A celebration of Jim’s life at the Vandalia Country Club will be determined at a later date. Memorials: Central Illinois Humane Society.
Jim was born on Jan. 25, 1939 in Brownstown, the son of Dietrich and Sylvia Behrends.
At a very young age, Jim and his brother Charlie moved to Decatur, and were raised by their aunt and uncle, Emily and Eric Augustine, due to the early demise of his parents.
He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1957 and Western Illinois University in 1961.
Jim married Patricia Kaye Stienbarger in 1960, and they were blessed with two daughters, Natalie and Stephanie. Later in life, he married Barbara Helms of Vandalia.
He taught social studies at Lakeview High School, served as an insurance agent for Prudential, and was part owner of South Shores Liquor in Decatur.
In 1989, Jim moved back to his family farm in Brownstown, and he purchased and operated Marie’s Restaurant in Vandalia until his retirement.
Jim was blessed with athletic ability. He played both basketball and baseball for SDHS and WIU.
Many of his days were spent playing golf at the Vandalia Country Club and in Arizona and Florida. He was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, never wavering in his faith and passion for his Cubbies.
Jim is survived by daughters Natalie (Jason) Garner of Cape Coral, Fla., and Stephanie (Michael) Madix of Bloomington; granddaughters, Riley and McKenzie Madix of Bloomington; nephews, David and Randy Behrends of Las Vegas, Nev., Chad Behrends of Milwaukee, Wis.; stepdaughter and son-in-law Amy and Bill Houston; and stepgrandson, Cameron Houston all of Vandalia; son-in-law, Mark Helm; and stepgrandchildren, Vanessa Waterson and Destiny Baer, all of Vandalia, IL.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Charlie; the aunt and uncle that raised him; his wife, Barbara; and stepgranddaughter, Kayla Houston.