James “Jim” Theodore Edelen, 77, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, Creve Coeur, MO.
Jim was born and raised in the St. Louis suburb of Shrewsbury where his parents Harold and Anita ran the Tempco Company heating and refrigeration business. Shrewsbury was a great place to grow up and his parents’ business afforded ample opportunity to tinker with tools and motors. As a teen and young adult, Jim loved cars and anything mechanical. After graduating from Affton High School and the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in mechanical engineering, he headed to Chicago and a 40-year career at US Gypsum Company, where he distinguished himself as the “go-to” expert in the process of kiln drying gypsum wallboard. In that capacity he traveled throughout the country and internationally. He loved living in the far west Chicago suburb of Pingree Grove in a 100-year-old farmhouse with his beloved cats. Jim was known for his subtle, self-deprecating sense of humor. He always had a funny quip to share, but one had to listen closely. He was a kind and generous man, and he will be greatly missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Anita (nee Reuss) Edelen, and by his older brother Robert (Bob) Edelen.
Jim is survived by his sister Mary (Tom) Berry of Kirkwood, MO and his nieces and nephews: Jenny (Jim) Gary and Amy Edelen of Tucson, AZ; Matthew Berry of St. Louis, MO and Katie Berry of Boston, MA; and by his sister-in-law Emmy Brown of Tucson, AZ.
Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, Alzheimer’s Association or charity of choice.
Cremation services were provided by Kutis-Affton Funeral Home.
Private family service will be held at a later date.