James Stolfus

James Stolfus
August 16, 1938 - November 13, 2017

James Richard Stolfus, 79, of Oelwein passed away on Friday November 10, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday November 13, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Driscoll officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein. A memorial fund has been established.

Jim was born on August 16, 1938 in Oelwein, the son of Jack and Wanda (Sewell) Stolfus. Attending school at Oelwein and then joining the U.S. Army, spending eleven years in National Guard. On June 12, 1955 he was united in marriage to Joan H. Latham at the Christian Church in Oelwein. Jim worked for the Chicago Great Western for eleven years, also home construction, part-time police officer and drove school bus for Oelwein and Independence. Jim enjoyed working, (especially the children he drove school bus for), trips to Branson, Missouri, camping, going south in the winter and out to eat (a good Rib Eye). He had a kind heart, helping those in need and was a good father and husband. He will leave a big void in many lives.

Left to celebrate Jim’s life is his wife Joan of Oelwein; daughter Kris Bohlen of Nevada, Iowa; son Craig Stolfus of Story City, Iowa; three grandchildren: Trent Bohlen, James Stolfus and Jon Stolfus; two great grandchildren: Cora Bohlen and Greyson Stolfus; his aunt Darlene Sewell of Oelwein; his in-laws: Don Ziegler of Sumner, Beryl (Sue Beenken) Latham of Hazleton, Carol Nielsen of Oelwein, Kenneth (Marlyn) Latham of Catlin, Illinois, Beatrice (Ted) Leonard of Winterset, Linda (Mike) Steil of Fairbank, Jon (Beverly) Latham of Oelwein, Mary (Harry) Ritter of Oelwein, Lowell (Dawn) Latham of Oelwein and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Wanda; two sisters: Beverly Holloway and Sharon Woods; in-laws: Duane Latham, Ronnie Latham and Faye Zeigler.

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Elmer and Deb Gann on November 12, 2017 at 5:24 PM said:

Joan we were saddened deeply to hear of Jim's passing. You and your family are in our prayers. May God ease your burden in such a hard time.

Joe and Cindy Welch on November 12, 2017 at 8:26 AM said:

I am sure going to miss you and Aunt Joan coming South for the winter. Good times and great memories. You will always have a special place in my heart. I love you.

Joe and Cindy Welch on November 12, 2017 at 8:26 AM said:

I am sure going to miss you and Aunt Joan coming South for the winter. Good times and great memories. You will always have a special place in my heart. I love you.

Anonymous on November 12, 2017 at 7:01 AM said:

I would see both Jim and Joanne quite often and breakfast time at McDonald's in Oelwein. Jim always had a good word for everybody. Often he would talk about the joy he had in being a bus driver and the fun he had with the kids on the bus. He truly enjoyed that part of his life. An equal Joe and his life was taking his Southern winter trips with Joan. Oelwein truly lost a good member of the community. Rest in peace Jim.

Anonymous on November 12, 2017 at 7:00 AM said:

Terri Zuck on November 12, 2017 at 4:41 AM said:

Jim was such a great bus driver. He always greeted the children with a smile. He will be missed. Former LHLC teacher Mrs Z

Julie Woodward on November 12, 2017 at 3:15 AM said:

So sorry for your loss..my mother was Delores Latham Althaus,daughter of Harvey & Eva Latham..

Tina Ash, Lucas, and Mariah on November 11, 2017 at 11:59 PM said:

Jim was a super man. Condolences to his entire family. I will miss his cheery smile.

Lou Ann Fox on November 11, 2017 at 8:33 PM said:

So sorry to hear, Thoughts and Prayers to the family.

Michelle Dixon on November 11, 2017 at 7:48 PM said:

Jim was my neighbor for a few years, I also had the pleasure of waiting on him at country cottage cafe for quite some time. Very sad to learn of his passing, he drive my kids to different events for school. You will be greatly missed Jim?????

darwin engler on November 11, 2017 at 7:27 PM said:

thoughts and prayers for stolfus family I meet James at the independence hospital me and him started talking like we new each other for years very nice man .

Anonymous on November 11, 2017 at 7:24 PM said:

I love and will miss you Uncle Jimmy! U were one of a kind. So many memories I will hold in my heart. RIP and give mama a hug for me. I know you two have been reunited in heaven. I will think of you often and never forget all that you taught me.

Fern (Carnicle) Bunnell on November 11, 2017 at 6:54 PM said:

So sorry for your loss, Jim was my grandkids Independence bus driver, didn't even realize who he was until I read his obit.

Mary Anne Knight on November 11, 2017 at 3:09 PM said:

I was shocked to learn that Jim had passed away recently! I have a good last memory, of chatting with him and his wife, at a local café. When he told me he had been in construction, I took his name and phone# down, and told him I'd call him. I wanted to do some work on my deck and he said he'd come and look at it. Jim's number is clipped to my calendar for future reference. With a heavy heart, I will, now remove it, and pray that he is resting, peacefully, in the arms of God. My sincere sympathy to his whole family.
Mary Anne Knight

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