James “Jim” M. Coblentz

James “Jim” M. Coblentz

Oxford

James “Jim” M. Coblentz, age 68, lifetime Oxford resident, died Sunday, September 28, 2025 surrounded by his family following complications of a surgery.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford. Burial to follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Please dress casually in your jeans, as Jim would’ve wanted. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jim’s honor to support causes important to him and his family. To share a memory, thought, or condolence, please visit the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.

James Milo Coblentz, the son of David and Rosemary (Stratton) Coblentz, was born November 7, 1956 in Iowa City. He attended Clear Creek schools and graduated with the Class of 1975. He married the love of his life—and classmate a year behind him—Marisa Ann Scheetz on September 9, 1978 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford. Together they were blessed with two children, Tony and Genna.

Jim worked for many years in the trucking business before joining the City of Iowa City, where he remained employed. Jim cherished time with family and friends. He enjoyed playing Euchre, Skip Bo with

his grandkids, golfing (especially with his new driver) with his nephews and brothers-in-law, riding horses in earlier years, and later exploring trails on four-wheelers and side-by-sides with his brother, Duane. Ornery by nature, he was known to encourage a newly cleaned four-wheeler to get covered in mud again with a huge grin and a giggle that shook his belly and shoulders. A natural tinkerer, Jim loved working on his tractor and could fix or build almost anything. Jim was always the first to help someone in need—willing to give the shirt off his back. Witnessing his love meant seeing the glass half full even in the hard moments of life. His unwavering optimism and hopeful spirit inspired everyone around him to live like he did; full of faith, kindness and endless love.

Above all, Jim loved his family. Even as siblings grew into adulthood, their bond never faded. His 47-year marriage to Marisa reflected a deep, faith-filled love—an inspiring example of what marriage in faith is meant to be. You could feel the love between Jim and Marisa simply by seeing them hold hands in church—a simple gesture, yet so deep and sincere. Their home radiated warmth, welcome, devotion, and a freezer fully stocked with popsicles—that they shared freely with their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and even the “out-laws”. Nothing was easy or given to this family, but in their eyes, they had all they needed: faith, family, friends and so much love. While he will be deeply missed, we are comforted knowing he is reunited with Tony and Jesus.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Marisa; daughter Genna (Eli); grandchildren Maria, Aubrey, (Maxx, and Ila); siblings Patsy Johnson, Sandra (Jerry) Cox, Debra (Tim) Harland, twin brother Duane (Jodie) Coblentz, and Joyce (Bryan) Disterhoft; sisters-in-law Michelle (Deacon David) Montgomery, Manette (Rick) Speers, Magina Scheetz-Lazio, Maricarla (Bill) Rohret, and Janice Scheetz; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Tony Coblentz; in-laws Alfred and Dolores Scheetz; and brother-in-law Joseph Scheetz.