James J. Hurley

James J. Hurley, 93, passed away on April 14, 2025, at Park Villa Nursing Home in Clyde, Kansas. He was born on December 24, 1931, on the farm near Republic, Kansas, to James T. and Agnes M. (Sheridan) Hurley, he was the youngest of two children. He grew up on the farm and started farming at the age of sixteen. He graduated from Republic High School in 1949. He married Evelyn A. Rizek on August 22, 1951, at St. George Catholic Church in Munden, KS. To this union of 72 years, four children were born. James and Evelyn farmed in the Republic/Munden area. James and Evelyn were 4-H community leaders for the Republic Pioneers 4-H Club for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks, and served on the Republic County Soil Conservation Board for many years. James and Evelyn were honored in 2000 as Kansas State Master Farmers.

James is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, his parents, James and Agnes Hurley, sister Maureen Kesl and her husband Leo, son-in-law James Koch, great grandson Steven Koch, and step grandson Chad Blow.

He is survived by his daughter Jackie Koch of Clyde, son Allen Hurley and his wife Barb of Republic, daughter Nancy Sandell and her husband Richard of Republic, and daughter Marcy Blow and her husband Cliff of Burlington, Kansas. James is also survived by his grandchildren: Jeffrey Koch (Jennifer) of Clyde, Julie Simpson (Kevin) of Overland Park, Justin Hurley (Kari) of Torrington, WY, Amanda Walker and special friend Trent Sims of Shawnee, KS, Bethany Wallin (Clay) of Courtland, KS, Nolan Sandell of Republic, Nealy Sandell of Lincoln, NE, Morgan Millsap (Thad) of Van Buren, AR, Bridge McGuire (Kyle) of Lenexa, and Jennifer Colbert (Kevin) of Burlington. James is also survived by his 17 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a community of friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville. Rosary/Vigil Services will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 pm at St. George Catholic Church in Munden. The family will greet friends at the church following the Rosary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 25th, at 10:00 am, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville, burial will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery, rural Munden.

Memorials are requested to Park Villa Nursing Home, and may be mailed to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Hurley family with these arrangements.