Dr. James J. Wiegers, DDS, 86, of Belleville, IL, born April 23, 1940, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by his loved ones.
Dr. Wiegers grew up in East St. Louis and attended St. Martin of Tours and Assumption High School. He loved sports and played baseball, football, and basketball as a young man. After high school, he attended Saint Louis University on a baseball scholarship for his undergraduate studies and continued at Saint Louis University School of Dentistry, graduating in 1965.
Following graduation, Dr. Wiegers was commissioned to serve with the U.S. Coast Guard for two years through the U.S. Public Health Service in Florida. He then established his private dental practice in Mascoutah, IL, where he practiced for 18 years until his office was destroyed by fire. He subsequently moved his practice to Belleville, where he continued practicing until his retirement in 2008. Dr. Wiegers was a member of Saint Peter’s Cathedral, where he served as past president of the school board, volunteered at the Cathedral food pantry, and was a member of the athletic committee. He also served as president of the St. Clair County Dental Society, was a member of the Illinois State Dental Society, and served as a member of the Belleville Police & Fire Commission.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence P. and Genevieve M. Wiegers, nee Carthy; his older brother, Dr. Lawrence Wiegers, DDS; his younger brother, Richard Wiegers; and a niece, Colleen Nesbit.
Surviving are his wife, Susan Wiegers, nee Nesbit whom he married June 21, 1968, at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital Chapel in Belleville, IL; five children, Joshua (Julia) Wiegers, Elizabeth Parrish (fiancée, John Weaver), Matthew (Amy) Wiegers, Gregory (Jennifer) Wiegers, and Christopher (Tiffany) Wiegers; 10 grandchildren, Madeline (Austin) Keen, James Wiegers, Jackson Parrish, Peyton Parrish, Hannah (Kale) Dudley, Abigail Wiegers (fiancée Ian King), Lainey Wiegers, Charlotte Wiegers, Lauren Wiegers, and Catherine Wiegers; and two great-grandchildren, Genevieve Keen and Owen Dudley. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Wiegers, Betty Jo Wiegers, and Beth Ann (Michael) Oesterle; his brother-in-law, Timothy (Catherine) Nesbit; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was a devout Catholic who will be remembered for his dedication and love for his family and the St. Louis Cardinals, his profession, and his community; his wonderful sense of humor; and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his years of service.
Memorials may be made to the Cathedral Food Pantry, St. Vincent De Paul, or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A memorial mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler officiating.
Burial will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
