Schmelzer, James

James Schmelzer was born March 13, 1937, on the Schmelzer family farm near Garnavillo, the son of Albert and Alvina (Felder) Schmelzer. He passed away peacefully Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at the Guttenberg Care Center.

Jim attended the Garnavillo School where he graduated with the class of 1955. He served his country proudly in Korea in the Army. After his honorable discharge, Jim returned home where on Aug. 24, 1963, he married his true love, Shirley Schroeder at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo. This blessed union brought them two sons. Jim and Shirley made their home in Garnavillo where Jim worked for John Deere in Dubuque for many years. Following his formal retirement, he worked for several years part time at Double LL. Much of Jim's life revolved around family and sports. In earlier years, he played on the Berns Texaco Softball Team. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a fan and great supporter of his granddaughters sports activities both in high school and college in softball, basketball, volleyball and track. As another past time, Jim enjoyed a good game of cards with his friends.

Jim will be forever loved and cherished by his wife of 49 years, Shirley; two sons, Steve (Tracie) Schmelzer of Lincoln, Neb. and Scott (Diane) Schmelzer of Garden Plain, Kan.; three grandchildren, Karley (Justin) Maxson and Bradie and Madison Schmelzer; one sister, Marie Dickman of Garnavillo; four sisters-in-law, Bev (Jim) Biggs of Grand Junction, Colo., Marjorie (Tom) Kuboushek of Calmar, Anita Schmelzer of Garnavillo and Edna Schmelzer of Monona; one brother-in-law, Owen Kann of Guttenberg; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Leonilla Moser, Geraldine Kann and Bernadette Stroschein; and two brothers, Lorin and Joseph Schmelzer.

Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 001 S. Industrial Park Rd., Garnavillo, where the family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Funeral service will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Garnavillo, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Richard G. Gaul officiating. Interment will be at the Garnavillo Community Cemetery in Garnavillo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either the Garnavillo Public Library, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Above and Beyond Hospice, American Cancer Society or the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 6, 2013.