James H. “Jim” Peeler, 82, of Hamburg died on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Villisca Good Samaritan Center in Villisca, Iowa. He was born on Sept. 18, 1926 at Council Bluffs, the son of Oscar and Florence B. (Haverty) Peeler. He graduated from Thurman High School in 1943. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Hamburg, where he resided the rest of his life.
On Sept. 4, 1948 he married Phyllis J. Moyer in Plattsmouth. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1953 and served as a heavy equipment operator with the Combat Engineers. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
The couple lived in Olympia, Wash., while Jim was in the service and then moved to rural Hamburg in 1955 where they farmed for 45 years. After retirement, Jim and Phyllis moved into Hamburg. He was very active in the community and was a member of the American Legion for 55 years, the Color Guard for 45 years and the Fraternal Order of Eagles for 41 years. Jim was also a member of the Elks, Disabled American Veterans, The Korean War Veterans Assoc., the co-op board for 20 years and the Sidney Rodeo Board for 45 years. He drove truck for various trucking companies and businesses for 45 years, farmed, and, after his retirement, worked for the seed company.
Jim is survived by his children: Kay Sjulin and husband Tom of Aromas, Calif., Jimmy Peeler and wife Tina of Clay Center, Kan., and Bill Peeler and wife Michelle of Hamburg; 11 grandchildren: Nick, Alex, Nikki, Scott, Mark, Joey, Ben, Sarah, Cory, Stef and Michael; 11 great-grandchildren: Jenyca, Dezra, Andrew, Mickayla, Avery, Isabella, Aedynn, Cody, Kaden, Rylee and Mason; brother Max Peeler and wife Corky of Rock Port, Mo., and sister Rose Moyer and other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Baptist Church in Hamburg.
Burial will be in the Hamburg Cemetery with complete military services conducted jointly by the Hamburg and Tabor American Legion posts.
The family will greet friends from 7-8 p.m. Friday at the Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg.
Memorials may be directed to the Hamburg City Park Memorial Renovation Project.
To send a condolence please log on to www.gudefuneralhomes.com.
Villisca, Iowa —
