Jimmy Joe 'Pipe' Hombs

Jimmy Joe Hombs, 32, passed away unexpectedly in the Emergency Room of Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Saturday morning, August 30, 2008, as the result of a massive heart attack.

Jimmy was born in Waukegan, IL, on October 25, 1975, to Gene and Delores (nee: Wittnebel) Hombs. He attended Round Lake High School – Class of 1994. On August 25, 2007, at Wustum Museum, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Jennifer Lynn Erickson.

For the past several years, Jimmy was employed as a heavy equipment operator at Gleason Redi-Mix, where his co-workers affectionately nicknamed him “Pipe.” He also was a friendly bartender and cook for Kelly’s Pub in beautiful downtown Trevor. With an extremely likeable personality, Jimmy was a big-kid-at-heart. He had an infectious smile and the magnificent ability to make everyone laugh. Jimmy enjoyed working on cars and was always buying items (that had seen better days) for cheap and refurbishing them into their like-new condition. He was a huge Chicago Bears fan and also appreciated watching a good car race. In honor of Jimmy’s kind and giving nature, his family opted to donate organs and tissue at the time of his death to enhance the lives of those in need – a precious gift Jimmy surely would have wanted to give. Above all, Jimmy was happiest when in the surroundings of his entire circle of family and friends. He passionately touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his loving wife, Jennifer; children, Bryon Erickson and Samantha Rodriguez, all of Racine; parents, Gene (Sandra) Hombs of Trevor and Delores (James) Clarady of Dodge, TX; sisters, Chris (John) Mahoney of Ingleside, IL, and Trisha Clarady of Dodge, TX; grandmothers, Cecil Hombs of Trevor and Elaine Kintzler of Grayslake, IL; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Art “Butch” and Linda Erickson of Sturtevant; sister-in-law, Jamie (Tom) Hayek of Racine; devoted aunt, Sue Wittnebel and Bob of Salem; nieces and nephews, Chase Erickson (Jimmy’s godson); Whitney Taylor; Savannah and Dylan Hayek; Mallory and Tyler Mahoney; special cousins, Jenny and Danny Erickson; and by many, many other dear aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name.

Jimmy was preceded in death by grandparents, Homer Hombs, Joan and Vilas Wittnebel, Lois Erickson, Harry Kintzler, Robert Goss and Virginia Salemi; and uncle, Paul Wittnebel.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Fleming officiating. Interment will follow in Liberty Cemetery in Salem, Kenosha County. All are invited to continue celebrating Jimmy’s life, following the cemetery service, at Kelly’s Pub in Trevor. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m.. In memory of Jimmy, memorials may be made to his family.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the first responders of the Racine Fire & Rescue and to the entire staff of All Saints-ER for doing everything in their powers in trying to save our beloved Jimmy. We appreciate all your heroic efforts.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine (262) 552-9000