James M. Schissel

James Matthew Schissel, the son of Joseph M. and Rose M. (Staver) Schissel, was born near Cherokee, Iowa on December 6, 1926. He was raised in Schisselville, Iowa, a small community located near Maryhill in rural Cherokee County, which played an important role in the life of his family. While in high school, Jim worked on the Illinois Central Railroad as a fireman. He graduated from Quimby High School in 1945. He attended Loras College before continuing his education at a commercial art school in Kansas City for one year prior to returning to Cherokee to help with the family business, Schissel Manufacturing. In 1948, Jim was united in marriage to Alice Clark at IC Catholic Church in Cherokee. The couple made their home and raised their family in Cherokee. In 1965, he joined Wilson Foods where he worked and was an active union member until his retirement in 1991. Jim had a wide array of interests, including traveling with his family, a diverse range of music, and attending auto races. He had a pilot's license and an adventurous spirit. He was a champion trap shooter and avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was well-known for his sense of humor, an affinity for vintage trucks, and his kindness. A father of six, Jim was a family man who could often be found supporting a child or grandchild at a school event. In 2014, Jim and Alice moved to Holstein, Iowa. He passed away at Cherokee Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at age 89. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jed G. Schissel; in-laws, Henry and Ada Clark; brothers John, Julian and Robert, and sisters Sr. M. Angelita, RSM and Sr. M. Johnita, RSM. His memory lives on through his wife of 68 years, Alice; five daughters, Sharon (Jon) Lemke of Iowa City, IA, Susan (Doug) Behrens of Whitewater, WI, Jane Schissel of Denver, CO, Mary Letsche of Cherokee, and Jean (Scott) Horan of Waterloo, IA; nine grandchildren, Anissa, Adam, Brooke, Paige, Elisabeth, Jack, Amanda, Jessica and Christian; six great-grandchildren, Christopher, Lilly, Jacob, Luke, Zoey and Gavin.

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CASKET BEARERS

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