James "Jim" E. Repplinger

James E. “Jim” Repplinger, 86, of Hamilton, passed away at 3:45 PM Saturday afternoon, November 5, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Jim was born October 20, 1936, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Paul and Esther (Meyer) Repplinger.  He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1954. He returned to Hamilton after graduating from Western Illinois University in Macomb to begin his teaching and coaching career in 1959. On August 9, 1964, he was united in marriage to Nancy K. Marshall at the Elvaston Presbyterian Church.  She preceded him in death in 2014. 

Jim taught for 38 years at Hamilton Junior High and High School, where he continued to substitute teach after retiring.  He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with students in history, PE, and biology classes. In addition to teaching, Jim coached numerous sports for 42 years, including high school football, high school boys basketball, high school girls basketball, high school and junior high track, junior high boys and girls basketball, and junior high softball. Repplinger also was one of the first little league coaches in the Hamilton Recreation Association, where he was active for many years.  Jim was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992 after coaching the Hamilton varsity football team for 27 seasons. He earned an overall record of 166-91-1.  Hamilton qualified for the Illinois Class 2A state playoffs in 10 seasons and the Illinois Class 1A state playoffs in two seasons. Three of those teams advanced to the state semifinals in Class 2A.  The Hamilton football field was named the Jim Repplinger Athletic Field in honor of Coach Repplinger on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Jim enjoyed spending time with family, watching sports, and spending his mornings at the Hamilton Family Cafe drinking coffee and visiting.

Jim is survived by his son, Jeffrey Repplinger of Hamilton; his daughter, Lori (Garret) Heisler of Hamel, Illinois; grandchildren, Shelby (Derek St. Clair) Repplinger, Bria (Ryan Boddeker) Repplinger, Miley Heisler, Nathan Heisler and Grant Heisler; great grandchildren, Greyson, Camber, Beck, Charlie, and Payton;  one sister, Betty Adcock of Algonquin, Illinois and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy; and a brother, Robert Repplinger.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday morning, November 10, 2022, at the Jim Repplinger Athletic Field at the corner of 15th and Broadway in Hamilton, with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.  Family will meet friends from 3:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday evening, November 9, 2022 at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton.  A memorial fund has been established in memory of Jim Repplinger.  Printy Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.

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