Alumni
James (Jim) Hesse
- Allen Miller
- Angela Bailey
- Armin Mehrtens
- Bender McKinney, Jr.
- Bill Luetkenhaus
- Bill Waeltz
- Brent Deady
- Chad Wunsch
- Chris Lugge
- Dan Shymanski
- Darrell Williams
- Darren M. White
- David Byington
- David Chasnoff
- David E. Kite
- Dean Alinder
- Dennis Daugherty
- Dennis Newman
- Don Huster
- Dr. Martin J. Sommer
- Earl Walker
- Edward Boenker
- Eric Nelson
- Frank Bokan
- Frank Finley
- Fred Mertz
- Geoff Dugopolski
- George Schofield
- Gerald Kohnen
- Glen Wildermuth
- Herbert Williams
- Ian Lackey
- James "Jim" Kyle
- James (Jim) Hesse
- James Payne
- Jason Prichard
- Jerry Halley
- Joe Davis
- John Kohnen
- Kent Markus
- Kevin Haller
- Kirk Skaggs
- Larry Kelso
- Lee Patrick Janey
- Lynn Glatt
- Matt Kuemmel
- Michael Aaron Davenport
- Michael Spratt
- Mike Hecht
- Patrick Earl Taylor
- Peter Lewis
- Richard Podorski
- Rick Rajnoha
- Robert (Bob) Finley
- Robert A. Gau
- Robert Dunavan
- Robert Fish
- Robert Kramer, Sr.
- Robert Ruth
- Robert Smith
- Rolf Mitchel
- Ronald Johnson
- Ronald Ray
- Ronald Walls
- Russ Milkoski
- Scott Krone
- Stephen Devine
- Steven Bohnenkamp
- Thomas Huelsing
- Tom Gieseking
- Tom Wood
- Walter Hellebusch
- Walter Koessel
- Walter Pumfrey
- Walter Wildermuth
- Wilbur Jackson
- William Fennewald
- William Orrill
- William Rueckert
- William Wagner
- Winston Darrell Johnston, II
Carpentry. 1967
“I learned excellent skills and it reinforced the need for a good work ethic.”
After graduating from Ranken Technical College in 1967, James (Jim) worked for Baker Builders in Quincy, IL. He married his wife Margaret (Peggy) in 1971 and they purchased an 80-acre farm where Jim built their home. They have now been married 37 years and have four children and six grandchildren.
In 1978 Jim started his own business - Hesse Builders, Inc. which now has 4 full-time employees. His motto “Pride in Excellence” stems from his background while attending Ranken and his experience on the job to satisfy his customers. His most recent project was constructing a war memorial in a local park which was dedicated on August 25, 2007.
In addition to running his own business and raising registered Polled Hereford cattle, grain and hay on his farm, Jim has been very active in his church and community. He is a member of the Quincy Homebuilders Association, serving many times as its president.
He has been a member of the Coatsburg Lions Club for over 30 years and most recently received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the highest award in the Lions Club. As a member of the Lions Club he started the Honey Creek Deer Classic where funds were raised for a camp for disabled children.
He was on the local Unit 4 school board for eight years and helped to design and build the football and baseball concession stands. He helped to start a retirement community and build cottages for the North Adams Nursing Home in Mendon, IL.
When his children were younger he coached little league for many years. He also was an EMT and on the local water board. Jim is a member of the Centennial Ebenezer Church and is currently the president of its administrative council. He also helped to build an elevator addition to the hundred- year-old church.
Jim has designed and built several medical clinics and business buildings in the surrounding towns in addition to building many new
homes. He also specializes in residential and commercial remodeling projects.
Jim’s work ethic has made his business very successful. According to his wife, “He is most relaxed driving a tractor, putting in crops, harvesting or bailing hay.” Jim says he enjoys his work and has no plans for retirement in the near future.
