Jimmie Finley

Jimmie Lee Finley, son of Milo Merel Finley and Lavon Alta Morlan Finley, was born August 25, 1938 on a farm near Farlin, Iowa, and died May 13, 2010 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa. He was 71 years old 8 months, and 18 days. Jim's funeral was held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at the First Assembly of God Church Jefferson, Iowa the Church Pastor's were in charge Pastor Rod Block and Pastor Dean Delzel. His honorary casket bearers were Hunter Davis, Tim Hoefling, Chance Davis, Christopher Finley, Colten Finley, Lathan Davis and Justice Davis, the active casket bearers were Jesse Finley, Chet Davis, Dennis Murphy, Robert Custer, Ben Smith and Joey Peterson, recorded music was Daddy's Hands, In The Garden and Go Rest High On That Mountain. Jim's burial was in the Wright Cemetery, Jefferson, Iowa, the military rites, including the taps was preformed by Karol Thompson, the Floyd W. Brown American Legion Post #11 and VFW Post #9599 made up the honor guard, a recording of Amazing Grace was play on the bagpipes. The ladies of the VFW Post #9599 and the Floyd Brown American Legion Post # 11 provided and served the lunch at the First Assembly o f God Church, in Jefferson. Jim, as he was lovingly known, attended school in Jefferson and completed his high school degree in the Navy. He joined the Navy in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1959. Jim married Elaine Orfield and they were parents of three children: Eldon, John and Kathryn. The family lived in Wichita, Kansas where Jim worked as a painter for Cessna for two years. Jim married Sherry Moses August 23, 1976, becoming step-dad to Bonnie Jones and Dale Jones, Jr. Jim and Sherry were the parents of a daughter, Theresa. Jim worked as a painter at Parkers and later as a welder for American Athletic Equipment until his health forced his retirement. Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, camping, maintaining large gardens, and most of all, spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the VFW and had a long-time affiliation with the Assembly of God Church. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Devon Finley. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Sherry; daughters Kathy Pantoja and her husband Raul of Denison, Iowa; Theresa Davis and her husband Chet of Cooper, Iowa; step-daughter Bonnie Orfield of Jefferson, Iowa; sons: Eldon Finley and his wife Gail of Lohrville, Iowa and John Finley of Boone, Iowa, and step-son Dale Jones, Jr. of Ames, Iowa, 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his sister Verlee Mathis and her husband Ron of Haysville, Kansas; brother Lynn Finley and his wife Helen of Wichita, Kansas; aunts Lucille Keeney, uncle Richard Morlan and wife Audrey, aunts Opal Olson, and Donna Davis and husband Gerald and Zelpha Carpenter and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson was in charge of arrangement and memorials may be sent to them.