Jim Kephart

SWALEDALE - Jim Kephart, 70, of Swaledale, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012, at his home while under the care of Hospice of North Iowa.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the Swaledale United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Scherb presiding. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Riceville.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., today, Tuesday, July 31, at Retz Funeral Home, Thornton.
James D. Kephart was born April 9, 1942, in Riceville, a son of Ward Sr. and Winifred (Holden) Kephart. He graduated from Riceville High School.
On September 22, 1960, Jim was united in marriage with Sharon Stark. This union was blessed with four daughters.
Jim worked at the Riceville Lumber Yard and other minor jobs before beginning at State Brand Dairy and retired in 2000 after 41 years with AMPI in Mason City with many years serving in the capacity of plant supervisor.
He treasured time spent with his family and was an avid Hawkeye fan and an all-weather Vikings fan. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, bowling and playing jokes on people.
Jim is survived by his wife Sharon; daughters: Kim Kephart, Swaledale; Connie (Don) Raymond, Wis; Kathy Kephart (fiancé Paul Doeden), Mason City; Kelly (Roger) Myhre, Swaledale; grandchildren: Matt, Heather, Tabatha, Brandon, Nathan, Trenton, Katelyn, Mikenzi and Calvin; great grandchildren: Michael, Ryan, Kayla and Emilee; sisters: Virginia Maloney, Vista, Calif; Helen (Sam) Calderone, Costa Mesa, Calif; Shirley Saraga, Kingman, Ariz; Bonnie (Dennis) Holtz, San Clemente, Calif; brothers: Kenneth (Darlene) Kephart, Riceville; Keith, Seal Beach, Calif; nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ward Jr., Larry and two in infancy.www.retzfh.com.