Edward James Rivett
Edward James Rivett passed away peacefully to Jesus at his home at Lake of Egypt, Marion, IL on Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 a.m.
Jim was born August 7, 1947 in Sandusky, OH to Edward Joseph Rivett and Mary Odessia Roddam. He never knew his father because he deserted his family and returned to his home in Texas. Mary went to be with her sister Carol in Washington. Jim endured much turmoil in his upbringing. (His mother and her siblings were orphaned when their parents died within a few months of each other). Mary met a man who left her pregnant and deserted her also. Next, she married George Reichert, but he wouldn’t let her keep her newborn daughter. Despite the 13 years of abuse in that marriage to Mary and Jim, Geroge did teach Jim how to hunt and took the family to the Lutheran church where they lived in Toole, UT. Jim was baptized April 10, 1955 and confirmed April 30, 1961there. Later Mary married Harold Nystrom and finally had a long and loving marriage.
Rather than be drafted, Jim signed up with the Marines and was a mechanic and bridge builder in Vietnam for 18 months near the demilitarized zone. He was heavily involved in combat and was exposed to Agent Orange. His military honors and medals were: National Defense Service medal, Vietnamese Service medal, Vietnamese Campaign medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action ribbon, Good Conduct medal and M-14 Rifle Expert badge.
After military service, Jim graduated from California State-Hayward and continued on to Concordia Seminary-St. Louis. He was assigned as a field worker to Bethesda Lutheran where he met his wife, Susan Thoele and they married there on May 26, 1973.
Upon graduation with a Master of Divinity from Christ Seminary, Seminary in Exile and a Master of Social Work from St. Louis University, Jim’s first ministry call was as pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Olmsted, IL including ministry at Vienna IL State prison.
Next, Jim served as a pastor at First Immanuel Lutheran, San Jose, CA. Jim felt the Lord leading him to full-time prison ministry. For 20 years he ministered to inmates and staff at federal prisons in Tucson, Memphis, Phoenix and Marion.
While living in Phoenix, Jim’s sister, Susan, who had been given up so long ago, found him, which brought much joy for the whole family. Susan became a full-time church worker in Lutheran churches in the Salt Lake City area.
Upon retirement from the Federal prison system, Jim served as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, Paducah, KY. His next call was to Our Redeemer Lutheran, Golconda, IL including ministry in prisons again.
Lastly, the Lord moved Jim to serve as a part-time chaplain at the Veteran’s Hospital in Marion. It was emotionally difficult to minister to combat veterans because of the memories that would return for Jim. It was also very rewarding, because some of them would only want to talk with Jim for they knew he had gone through some of the same hellish experiences. Part of Jim’s mental healing was being part of an advanced PTSD group at the VA hospital forming deep bonds with other combat veterans. Few people understand the havoc that PTSD can bring to a combat veteran’s family. Through God’s guidance He kept Jim’s family together despite the difficulties. God gave Jim a determination to persevere through 5 ½ years of liver cancer plus other health problems due to Agent Orange exposure.
Some other ministry highlights were:
1987-Receipt of the Department of Justice, Federal Prison System, Assistant Director’s Award which included a trip to Washington, DC to receive the award.
2010-Jim traveled to South Sudan with members of St. John’s LCMS Sudanese ministry. For 3 weeks he trained lay leaders in Lutheran theology and leadership in Akobo, South Sudan. Because of the Lord’s work though this mission team, one young Sudanese man attended the seminary and was ordained. Lutheran churches in the area grew from 3 to 5. An additional blessing for Jim was that his sister, Susan and her husband, Jim, went also.
2016-Jim was given the Christus in Mundo award. It is given for significant contributions in socialized pastoral ministry. Jim was the senior coordinator of the LCMS Southern Illinois District Prison Ministry which oversees 27 prisons, jails and mental health facilities.
Through all these ministries Jim gave all the glory to God. He saw himself as a servant. When anyone said Jim led them to Christ, Jim would say, no, it was all the Lord’s doing.
Jim is the primary author of two books:
Lenten and Easter Devotions: Journeys with Jesus
The Prison and Jail Ministry Handbook of the LCMS
Jim loved riding his motorcycles, putting many miles on the several he had through the years including his 3 Harleys. His last motorcycle was a Harley trike for he was too weak to handle a 2 wheel Harley. Just 2 weeks before his passing, his son, John drove Jim’s trike that Jim got on by himself for his last ride. What a joy for him to ride with John and his good buddy, Fred, who God sent at the same time.
His other loved activities were golf and hunting, especially with his sons locally for deer and in Colorado for elk and antelope, along with friends Mike, Dennis, Norm, and Marty.
Jim is survived by his loving family, wife-Sue; sons-(James) Jason-Amy, (Joseph) Ryan, (Robert) John-Ashley; grandchildren-Kaylee, Kade, Kylee and Greyson; sisters-Susan and Carolyn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-fathers, brothers- Chuck and George Reichert and Darrell Nystrom; niece-Vicki.
Visitations, memorial service, and lunch will all be at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 700 S. University Ave., Carbondale, IL. Visitations to be Tuesday, July 28 from 5-8 p.m., and Wednesday, July 29 from 9-11 a.m. followed by 11 a.m. memorial service and lunch. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Mound City National Cemetery.
In order to achieve the most possible safety, temperatures will be taken upon entering the church and masks will be REQUIRED there and at the cemetery.
Parking is available on the west side of the church and behind the Woman’s Center building west of the church, also at First Mid Bank which is located at the corner of W. College and S. University-one block north of the church on the northeast corner.
Suggested memorials-Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675
Our Savior Lutheran Church-envelopes available
Such a wonderful man who gave so much of himself. I have good memories of Pastor Rivett both at the prison in Marion and later after retirement. He will be greatly missed but I will see him again. Say Hi to Randy for me Jim.
Jim was a wonderful Christian man who encouraged Karla and I as volunteers in prison ministry. We loved both Jim and Sue and still do.
I knew Jim for many years at USP Marion, after we both retired I ended up in the Hospital at the VA in Marion and he was my first visitor. He said I saw your name on the list and had to see you. We talked for a while till my wife got there, we said a prayer and he was off to help the next vet. I have the upmost respect for this man may you Rest In Peace Brother
When we first came to southern Illinois in the 1980’s I remember hearing about this long-haired-motorcycle-riding Chaplain at the Federal Prison in Marion. I’m thinking that was Jim. We didn’t meet back then. We left the area and returned in the mid-1990’s. I took a job with the Illinois Dept. of Corrections and then was offered a position as a Chaplain at the Supermax in Tamms. Eventually I became the Senior Chaplain at the Shawnee Correctional Center in Vienna and Jim served as one of our volunteers. What a wonderful friend, colleague, and mentor. Although I was his “supervisor,” the fact is, he was the supervisor. We talked often. Before this pandemic started, we met at the Marion Cracker Barrel for lunch and made plans to meet again. Alas, it was not to be. Talk about a wounded warrior! Jim struggled with aggressive cancer, Agent Orange, and PTSD, but I never, ever heard him complain. He was always an encourager and I will always consider my relationship with him to be one of the deepest privileges afforded to me in this life. His booming, over-the-top-cheerful greeting, “You sweet child of God!” will always ring in my ears. I’m rejoicing that his battle with sickness is over, but I’m sad that it will be a while before we can meet again. Jim, I love you. I miss you. But I’m glad you’ve gone home to see Jesus! The victory is yours. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy prepared for you!”
We are so sorry to hear this. He was such a good Christian and inspiration. Bruce always talked about the conversations he had with him. Truly a good man. May he rest in peace with his Savior. ❤️
Susan, I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I met Jim about a year and a half ago after arriving at Marion VA. He never ceased to amaze me with his drive and ability to meet, minister, and move on; he was hard to keep up with at time. Jim had a great seense of humor and gave me the impression that almost nothing could offend him. He was certainly loved and respected by the Marion medical staff; especially the nurses in the Chemo clinic, Same Day Surgery, and 3rd floor Medical Surgery wards. He was certainly well loved by the Vietnam Veteran groups as well. The Chaplains Service staff has been in mouning ever since the day Jim announced his retirement due to his health. Jim was a true follower of Jesus Christ, who reached out and went to those suffering and down trodden; he was a fried to all. Finally, as a fellow combat Vteran, I woud say: Well done Marine, you complete you tour, you fought well, you kept the faith; you are now relieved of your post! Blessings!
Jim Rivett was my pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY. It’s difficult to succeed a 30-year pastor at any congregation, but Pastor took on the challenge with courage and a dedication to serve God and our members. One thing that happened because of Pastor Rivett’s presence was a new look at our music ministry. One song in particular was a very uptempo rendering of “Joy to the World,” which I loved, and I praise the Lord for Pastor’s and choir director Donna Hoelscher’s leadership in doing it. It turned out so popular among the choir members that when we were invited to sing at a prison in Southern Illinois, we pulled it out and sang it again. It was awesome! So devoted was Pastor to making sure we were aware of the Great Commission, he had signs posted near the exits of the parking lot that reminded us, “You are entering the mission field.” Without a doubt, Pastor Jim Rivett was welcomed into Heaven with the words we all long to hear from our Savior: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I deeply saddened by the loss of Pastor Jim. I came to know him through the SID prison ministry task force which I was also a member. We also spent time riding motorcycles at Heits point Lutheran camp. I will truly miss Jim and will pray for his family. I will see you again in heaven someday.
He will be missed
I am so sad for all of us left here without Pastor Rivett. I met Jim while incarcerated at Marion Federal Prison Camp. He was a pillar in a time I refer to as the “Best” and “Worst” time of my life. Jim taught me to be contented in whatever the situation. He was my Pastor, my friend, and mentor. I look forward to that day when we sing along with the “Hippy dippy priest’ again. Prayers for you Mrs. Rivett, thanks for sharing him with us!
Dear Sue, I just read Jim’s obit for the first time today. I knew about some of the went through but not nearly everything. I knew he was special but did not know to what extent. I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. I tried to let you know when David passed away in 2020. I think that losing a spouse makes one more compassionate to one who has already lost theirs. I think I lost track of you and will send a note to the current address I have for you. I don’t have your current email address. I hope we can reconnect if you would like to. My parents had a friend who was in the prison ministry in Texas for LCMS in the 1940’s. That’s very inspiring. Be well.