Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home in Port Byron. Visitation will be from 11:30 am until the start of the service. Burial will be in the Fenton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erie Ambulance.
Jim was born on November 26, 1942, to Emery and Genevieve Ringberg in Galesburg, Illinois. He graduated from Rock Island High School in June 1960. He joined the United States Air Force and served our country from 1960 to 1964. Jim had many accomplishments throughout his life, including owning and operating his own gas station with snow plowing and wrecker service. He also worked for Caterpillar in Bettendorf, Iowa, before serving as a part-time deputy sheriff in Henry County assigned to Orion, Illinois, for 3 ½ years. This led to Jim serving part-time as a patrol officer, sergeant, and chief of police in Hillsdale, Illinois, for a total of 29 ½ years. In November 2002, Jim retired from the East Moline Correctional Center with over 24 years of service. He is also a former Port Byron Firefighter.
Jim married Donna Jo Ornelis on August 22, 2001. Jim and Donna were married for 22 wonderful years. They enjoyed target shooting, hunting, fishing, and camping together, especially spending time with their children, grandchildren, and dogs. They each had 4 children from previous marriages. Jim is survived by one brother, Keith (Barb) Ringberg of Plover, WI; by his children, Sherry (Ken) Smith of Chicago, IL; Pam Verdin of Winder, GA; Scott (Merit) Ringberg of Geneseo, IL; Robert (Heidi) Ringberg of Hillsdale, IL; Serena (Randy) Ryan of Broken Arrow, OK; Tanya (Rich) Edgil of Hamilton, AL; Zach (Kylee) Gould of Vermont, IL; and Matt Gould. Jim is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Paul Verdin.
