James B. Buckley, age 90 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, August 12, 2012 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 16th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Father Jeff Schleisman as celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Rock Rapids.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 15th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. There will be a Vigil service at 7:30 PM at the funeral home.
James Bernard Buckley was born July 14, 1922 on a family farm east of Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Josephine (Campbell) Buckley. He graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1940. In March of 1944 he entered the United States Navy where he served on the U. S. S. West Virginia battleship in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. After he received his honorable discharge on January 6, 1946 he returned to Rock Rapids.
Jim was united in marriage to Lois Wittrock on May 9, 1944 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids. They moved to a farm northeast of Rock Rapids. Jim farmed until 1976 when he moved to their home in Rock Rapids. He also sold seed corn and drove truck for many years. He enjoyed playing cards and taking rides in the country.
On November 13, 2004 Jim’s wife Lois died after 60 years of marriage. Jim entered Lyon Manor Nursing Home in April of 2008 and remained there until his death this past Sunday, August 12, 2012 at the age of 90.
He is survived by sisters-in-law, Velda Loger of Rock Rapids, IA and Arlo Buckley of Rantoul, IL; brother-in-law, Harold Wittrock of Rock Rapids, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lois Buckley; a sister, Mary Jo Christiansen; a brother, Thomas “Pat” Buckley; and a nephew, Jim Buckley.
