James E. Seiber

1946-2024

James E Seiber, 78, of Springfield, IL died at home on October 8, 2024. He was born in Alton, IL to Jesse J and Bertha (Hill) Seiber. The son of a Methodist minister, he attended several elementary schools around southern Illinois before graduating from West Frankfort High School in 1964. He married Susan Meyer on September 14, 1968. He graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1969. Jim was employed by Franklin Life Insurance Company, 3-M Corporation, the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs before serving 21 years as Executive Director of the State Police Merit Board until retirement.

Jim played on school and summer sports teams and as a young adult, but much of Jim’s life was devoted to development of youth athletes – Junior Football League, girls softball, boys baseball, the Springfield Baseball and Softball Academy. He introduced ASA Junior Olympic Fastpitch Softball to the Springfield area. Never afraid of bringing big ideas to fruition, he masterminded the building of the softball complex at UIS and experienced firsthand, “If you build it, they will come.”

He worked quietly in positions of leadership both in his church, serving on the pastor-parish relationship committee, and on the Board of Directors of their summer community, New Piasa Chautauqua. He was chiefly responsible for negotiating and overseeing an improved sewer system there.

Besides his wife Susan, he is survived by 2 daughters, Sinta Seiber of Springfield and Wren Visser of Phoenix, AZ; his brother Roy (wife Julie) Seiber of Kelso, WA; and 3 grandchildren, Vaelen Lane, Niah Visser, and Grae Visser.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home, Springfield. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 3 to 6 pm at the UIS Softball Complex, on 11th St. and Ernest Hemingway Dr. in Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Chatham United Methodist Church or New Piasa Chautauqua Church Assembly.