James F. Friederich, 89, of Belleville, IL, born June 1, 1937, in Belleville, IL, died Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.
James attended Cathedral Grade School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1955. He later attended night classes at Ranken Technical School for Heating and Air Conditioning.
James began working alongside his father at Friederich-Juen Coal and Building Supply unloading coal cars and delivering coal and building supplies. While working there he built a sand bagging machine to speed up the bagging process and began doing automotive repairs. The Coal yard is also where his trailer hitch business began. He then went on to build his own repair business, Jim Friederich Auto Air Conditioning. Besides doing the automotive repairs, he designed and built a snowplow and worked countless snowy nights plowing local business lots including the Cathedral church and school parking lots. In 1979 he Founded and operated Camper Exchange Inc, for consignment sales and eventually brought in his hitch business. He was involved in sales and service until his retirement in 1995. He was a true entrepreneur and held two patents for his Moto Tote Cycle Carrier and for the Best One Car Trailer that he invented.
He was a devoted lifelong member of St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, served as a St. Peter’s Cathedral trustee for 16 yrs, he was involved with Cathedral Grade School and Green Mount Cemetery and volunteered at many church picnics along with the Pre Cana Team. Jim was the Serra Club treasurer and was involved in many of the events hosted by the Serra Club. He also served on the zoning board for the City of Belleville. In his pastime, he enjoyed fishing, barbequing and spending time with his family and friends.
Jim cared deeply for his family and his family history.
Dad always said, “I am tremendously Blessed” He was devoted to his church, his faith and above all, his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bethulia, nee Morganstern, Friederich; and a brother, Paul Friederich.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce L., nee Schuetz, Friederich, whom he married on May 8, 1957;
five children, Glenn (Mary) Friederich and their children, Jacob (Leslie) Friederich, Danny (Amanda) Friederich, Carrie (Andrew) Matecki, and John (Mia) Friederich;
Julia (Jeff) Stehl and their children, Andrew (Kate) Stehl, Tim (Nikki) Stehl, and Lauren (Bill) Donald;
Wayne (Kathy) Friederich and their children, Jarrod Friederich, Jenna (Greg) Coumatos, and Jillian Durant;
Mary Beth (Mark) Haas and their children, Jessica (Jason) Larsen, Maximilian (Mariah) Haas, and Quentin (Kaitlin) Haas;
Nancy Lombardo (Victor Klein, Jr.) and her children, Nicholas (Emilye) Lombardo, Christopher (Alison) Lombardo, and Anthony (Paige) Lombardo;
24 great-grandchildren; Sophia, Tessa, Ryan, Audrey, Caleb, Lena, Annie, Vivienne, Avery, Karlie, Ellie, Liam, Beckett, Cooper, Isla, Arlo, Amelia, Sylvia, Sophia, Case, Riley, Joan, Oliver, and Leo; a brother, Richard (Jane) Friederich; a sister-in-law, Janet Friederich; and nieces and nephews.
We would like to send a special thank you to Miss Suzie and Miss Anna for your loving and compassionate care and to Nurses Jamie and Elisha for the care and comfort of the home visits.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Serra Club of St. Clair County and St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 20, 2026, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. There will be a Serra Club prayer service at 4:00 p.m.
Funeral: A funeral procession will leave at 10 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, for a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
