October 15, 1940 ~ August 26, 2018
VISITATION DETAILS
August 30, 2018
4:00 – 8:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
Walnut, IA
(
get directions
)
The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the church.
SERVICE DETAILS
Friday, August 31, 2018
10:00 AM
First Presbyterian Church
Walnut, IA
(
get directions
)
Burial will be in the Layton Township Cemetery, Walnut, IA
SURVIVORS
4 Children – Kimberly (Friend, Dan) Hoffman of Walnut, IA
Darren (Michelle) Tooley of Sergeant Bluff, IA
Robin (Dave) Heilig of Walnut, IA
Justen (Friend, Jessie) Tooley of Walnut, IA
1 Sister – Debby Marsh of Omaha, NE
8 Grandchildren
1 Great-grandchild
Other Relatives & Friends
James Edward Tooley, the son of James Gordon and Clara Mae (League) Tooley, was born on October 15, 1940, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was raised in Walnut, Iowa, and graduated from Walnut High School with the Class of 1958. On January 10, 1970, James married Janice Louise Wendt at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut.
James worked in the building trade for many years, first with Walnut Lumber, then as a bricklayer with his father; he was later self-employed. James then was employed by Lafrentz Standard Oil in Walnut, Piittmann Seed, and finally, the Walnut Grocery Store. Following Janice’s death on June 9, 2009, James remained in his own home until becoming a resident of Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic, Iowa, in May 2017.
James was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, where he served in church leadership and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Goldenairres, the McDonald’s Coffee Group, and the Walnut Optimist Club. A former mayor of Walnut, James had also served as a member of the Walnut Fire Department.
James lived most of his life in Walnut, where he enjoyed racing cars in his younger days. He liked to go fishing in Canada, and both he and Janice enjoyed going to Branson, Missouri, to attend the various music shows.
James E. Tooley died on Sunday, August 26, 2018, at the Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic, Iowa. He had reached the age of 77 years, 10 months, and 11 days.
James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice Louise Tooley; and one sister, Virginia Bock. He is survived by four children, Kimberly (friend, Dan) Hoffman of Walnut, Iowa, Darren (Michelle) Tooley of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Robin (Dave) Heilig of Walnut, Iowa, and Justen (friend, Jessie) Tooley of Walnut, Iowa; one sister, Debby Marsh of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held on Friday, August 31, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa, with Pastor Bill Switzer officiating. Connie Jensen and Dianne Book served as the musicians. Casket bearers were Jim Bock, Matt Bock, Paul Weible, Paul Riley, Denny Book, Jim Hansen, Noah Heilig, Kevin Marsh, Doug Wendt, Troy Piittmann, Jordan Hoffman, and Preston Tooley. The casket was carried to the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa, aboard the Walnut Fire Department Antique Fire Truck. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Inc. in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.