James Edward Majchrzak

Jim Majchrzak

(Affectionately known as the honorary Mayor of Little Rock)

October 29, 1931 – March 4, 2021

 Jim was born in Spring Valley, Il. He went to a one room school house that was warmed by a coal stove. The boys would bring up coal from the basement. He went to Hall high where the Red Devil’s was the football team. He graduated from there in 1950.

 After graduating he worked at the Peru Westclox’s where he met and married Donna Gostivich. At 19 years old he was drafted into the Army and went to Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic training. He was a part of the 406 Combat Engineers 6^th Army in the Korean war. In Germany he built bridges that were similar to the Bailey Bridge to allow trucks to go over the river.

 Dad told the story of his red headed pup tent buddy that caused them an extra march because he didn’t make his bed. (Lol) During heavy rains the guys moved under a large tree, but dad didn’t make it so he got under a smaller tree. The large tree got struck by lightening and all of those guys skin turned yellow! Dad and his buddies were safe. While on his week end pass home his dad was using his 1942 Dodge, with automatic transmission which was new at that time, and hit a bus – guess who won?? The bus!

 The was then flown to a base in New York and flew overseas where they stopped in New England. He flew over the White Cliffs of Dover. While on a ship, there was a fire that started due so some of the men who hung up their wash on an electric wire which shorted out due to all the weight. He talked about two brother’s that got sick and would pass a bucket between them on the hammocks. They landed in Germany and stopped at an Army resort with skiing. The base had one church service for several religions. They rotated which one was said for the week.

 Dad talked about the beer in the German taverns was 16% alcohol! Head aches were popular in the morning. He was in Germany for 6 months. Someone dressed in a Polar bear suit entertained them.

 When he came back to the states 5 – 6 guys would pile into a cab and squished in with duffle bags. He took a train to Chicago where he met up with mom and Uncle Frankie.

Some phrases that he commonly used were: Got a minute?, Mox nix, Janet, take care of yourself, aveda zein (good bye), Well, mother nature’s calling, I gotta go, it’s home right by the shade tree.

 We will miss dad dearly!

Margie Vetter,

There Majchrzak

Chris Majchrzak

Janet Morsh

James Edward Majchrzak, 89, of Plano, IL passed away on March 4, 2021. James was born on October 29, 1931 in Spring Valley, IL to Andrew and Mary (Belski) Majchrzak. James graduated from Hall High School in Spring Valley. After high school, he worked at Peru Westclox where he met his wife, Donna. He was drafted into the 406 Combat Engineers 6th Army. He was the Plano American Legion Post 395 Commander and Historian and was a member of the Color Guard. He was also an active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and of the Holy Name Society. He was an avid organic gardener as well. He worked and retired at Caterpillar after 32 years.

James is survived by 4 children, Margaret Mary (John) Vetter of Carpentersville, IL, Theresa Ann Majchrzak of Plano, IL, Christine Marie (Martin Gene Enoch) Majchrzak of Plano, IL and Janet Elaine (Dale) Morsch of Marseilles, IL; 4 grandchildren, Nicholas Majchrzak, Travis Vetter, Rachael Vetter and Jordann Vetter; As well as 4 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; His spouse, Donna; 2 brothers, Leonard Majchrzak and Stanley Majchrzak; And his special friend, JoAnne French.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 8, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry Street Sandwich, IL 60548. Funeral Mass will be held next day Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 901 North Center Street Plano, IL 60545. Burial will follow out to Little Rock Township Cemetery in Plano, IL. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com