MONROE - James IE Ilgenfritz II, 76, the fourth-generation owner of a nursery known for its fruit trees, ornamental plants, and roses, died of a heart attack Sunday in Englewood, N.J., Hospital and Medical Center.

He and his wife, Erika, moved to Teaneck, N.J., 10 years ago to be near their daughter, Heide, who had twins. Their other children have relocated nearby.

He took over the nursery-founded by great-grandfather IE Ilgenfritz in 1847 - from his own father, James. The nursery had wholesale customers across the eastern half of the country, said Paul Marks, a former agricultural extension agent. Mr. Ilgenfritz "was very knowledgeable about the nursery business and was committed to and concerned about the community he lived in," Mr. Marks said.

He sold the business in 1984.

"He loved the idea of growing things and beautifying things and the proper way of taking care of trees," his wife said. "As soon as we came out here, he took a course on becoming a certified tree expert."

Towns in New Jersey hired him to devise tree-planting plans and to supervise planting and trimming, his wife said.

He was a graduate of Monroe High School and Michigan State University.

He was a veteran of the Air Force.

Surviving are his wife, Erika Ilgenfritz, whom he married June 19, 1965; daughters, Stefanie Ilgenfritz, Heide Ilgenfritz, and Elizabeth Ilgenfritz; son, James IE Ilgenfritz III, and six grandchildren.

There will be no visitation or services. The family suggests tributes to the Teaneck Arboretum Project in care of Friends of the Greenway, Teaneck, N.J.

First Published February 7, 2009, 10:19 a.m.