James H. Faulkner

James H. Faulkner, age 98, of Chesterfield, Missouri passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 9, 1925 to James and Ruth Faulkner (nee Williams).

Jim is survived by his wife, Irma Faulkner (nee Seim); children, Carol (John) O'Brien, Cathy (Mario Guerra) Faulkner, James R. (the late Jennifer) Faulkner, and Cindy (Anthony) Manno; grandchildren, Thomas (Karina) Bald, Michael Bald, Ava Faulkner, Brady Faulkner, Alexandria Manno, Dominic Manno, and Adrianna Manno. He is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ingrid Ruth; father, James Everett Faulkner; mother, Ruth Magdaline Faulkner; and sisters, Jean (Jim) Handke, and Ruth (Jim) Ottoson.

Jim was raised in Wheaton, Illinois along with his two sisters. He was always active and became a strong athlete at Wheaton Community High School. He excelled in football, basketball, and track. Jim was one of the best defensive backs in Illinois, named Captain of his football team and missed participating in the Olympic Games in hurdles by one race.

As a youth Jim fell in love with aviation and would often ride his bike to the airport to watch the planes. Upon graduating in 1943, he joined the Army Air Corps. Jim gained his pilot's license and was active as a Captain in the Reserves until 1959. Leaving the military, he began a career as a commercial pilot for TWA and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). His main international routes were from Chicago to the UK to South Africa and back. He often would tell stories of how he loved going 'over the pond'.

During the late 50s and early 60s, pilots were in high demand and he was offered a captain position by Middle Eastern Airlines in Lebanon. In August of 1960, a few weeks before he was due to leave, he went on a blind date with his sister and brother-in-law. His date was a stunning Estonian bank teller and runway model. There was an instant connection, Jim proposed in December and they were married the following July.

Jim and Irma started their married life in Crystal Lake, IL. Jim worked as a manager with Mathews Company where they designed and assembled commercial grain dryers. Their first child, Carol was welcomed in 1966 and by 1972 they were a family of 5 with the addition of Cathy and Jim. During this period Jim also experienced the loss of their second child, Ingrid.

Jim and Irma decided to change their lifestyle and moved to a grain farm outside of Lanesboro, Minnesota during the summer of 1972. In Minnesota they were blessed with their youngest child Cindy.

Jim worked as the plant manager for Continental Homes, Mfg, a builder of modular homes, for several years. During this time, he also farmed his first farm until he was able to buy his second farm.

Jim was baptized in 1976 and was a dedicated member of the United Church of God. Their years in Minnesota continued on the farm where Jim raised wheat, corn and soybeans until his retirement in 1986. He used his retirement time to invent Joud - an engine rejuvenator. They downsized from the farm in 1991 then settled in Rushford, MN where they lived until recently. Irma joined him in retirement in 2002 where they fellowshipped with their church members, traveled to see their children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. As an avid Green Bay Packer fan Jim continued to nurture his love of football by making a trip to training camp and reading his weekly Packer Report. Jim also had an artistic gift which may have been inherited through his mother who shared a family tree with Norman Rockwell. Specifically, he enjoyed drawing and stained-glass work. Jim was always his grandchildren's biggest fan as he enjoyed seeing how they inherited some of his interests and talents.

Jim's family and friends are grateful for the 98 years of life they have shared together.


Memorial contributions in Jim's honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Click Here to donate online.


Jim's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.