James H. Macke

James “Jim” H. Macke, 74, of Clarion passed away Monday, March 8, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at First Lutheran Church, 420 1st Street Northwest in Clarion, with Reverend Dr. Ronald Yarnell officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

James was born in Glennon, Missouri on June 4, 1936 to George and Elizabeth (Beel) Macke.  He grew up in Glennon, Missouri as one of ten children and moved to St. Louis in his teens.

Jim served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1959.  While serving in Panama, he formed a pen pal relationship with Phyllis Handahl of Webster City who he then married at the end of his tour.

On December 27, 1959 Jim and Phyllis were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City. To this union were born their daughter Kim and son Mark.  The couple celebrated over 51 years of marriage.  After they were married they lived in Webster City before moving to Clarion in 1961.

Upon moving to Clarion, Jim began working for Evans Lumber and Construction as a carpenter and painter.  After 40 years of employment, Jim retired in 2001 and devoted his free time to his grandson James Jacob “Jake”.

Jim is survived by his wife Phyllis; daughter Kim (Mike) Lund; grandson James Jacob “Jake” Lockhart all of Clarion; step-granddaughter Sheila Trahan and family of Mesquite, Texas; son Mark of Des Moines; sisters: Ann Boxdorfer of Perryville, Missouri, Leola Schraer of Foristell, Missouri Velma Macke of St. Charles, Missouri, and Alma Bascom of Catawissa, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents George and Elizabeth; brothers: Albert, Frank and Glen; and sisters: Jane and Beulah.