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James Derby Batchelor

FUNERAL HOME

Bentley Funeral Home - Wilton

302 W 5th Street

Wilton, Iowa

James Batchelor Obituary

Name: Visitation for James Derby Batchelor
Start: 2022-07-15T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Zion Lutheran Church

James Derby Batchelor

October 22, 1925-July 2, 2022

James Derby Batchelor, 96, of Wilton, Iowa, died on July 2, 2022, at Wilton Retirement Community, Wilton. He was born on October 22, 1925, in Muscatine, Iowa to Francis and Rosa (Derby) Batchelor. On April 24, 1949, he married Pearl Weiss.

James is survived by a sister, Rose Askam of Danville, IL; 5 children, James Batchelor (Lynn), Mary FitzPatrick (Paul), Lydia Witkiewicz (Edward), Sarah Dunn (Thomas), and Martha Krieser (Douglas); and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pearl; sister, Barbara Smith; son, Francis Batchelor; and grandchild, Tamara FitzPatrick.

James became a church organist at the age of 14 and continued to play keyboard until just days before his death. Although he intended to farm as his father did, the school board asked him to teach at Patterson School. During his teaching career, he taught in one room schools, he was the principal of Zion Lutheran School in Muscatine, he taught Special Education in Beloit WI, and taught science, piano, and German at Concordia Lutheran High School in Seward, NE. Eventually, he became a physics teacher at Milwaukee Lutheran High School until his retirement. After retirement, he moved back to Wilton where he was an occasional substitute teacher.

James was also an avid genealogist, tracing his family tree back to Europe. He often knew the genealogies of area families better than they did.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1000 Maurer St, Wilton. Burial will take place in Krell Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church, Wilton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Milwaukee Lutheran High School or Zion Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Quad-City Times on Jul. 10, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for James Batchelor

Sponsored by Bentley Funeral Home - Wilton.

26 Entries

Donna Welk Cameron Gricus

December 28, 2022

I enjoyed reading these memories of Mr Batchelor. He was a wonderful man. I was a student at Zion Lutheran School in Muscatine, Iowa back in 7th & 8th grade. Now live in Newport county in Rhode Island. Have always had an interest in physics and maybe Mr Batchelor was key to that.

Sue McKillip

August 20, 2022

Jim was a wonderful human being. He was a real treasure. Bless him.

Frank Popa

August 1, 2022

I had two years of physics from Mr. Batchelor in the late 60's. He made it fun.

He came to class one day, probably 1966 or 7, brimming with pride over some contraption that his son had made.

Robert & Eleanor Hearst

July 27, 2022

Bob remembers Mr Bachelor as his teacher at Paterson. I remember researching genealogy with him by email/internet. And we remember long visits at Wildcat Den during Old Mill Days. Treasured memories!

Connie Koehler

July 20, 2022

Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear that your father has died. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Grant Barthel

July 19, 2022

Mr. Batchelor was my favorite teacher at Milwaukee Lutheran. His kind and enthusiastic Christ-centered sincerity was what I strived for in my teaching and ministry. He was a good model. We all knew that he cared about us individually. He could not help but smile. We enjoyed his lessons and remember many classroom moments. I have found myself thanking the Lord for Mr. Batchelor and had know idea that I was praying for a friend who was still with us in our time of grace. Hope to see that you ( family members ) all hold on to our Savior Jesus as Jim did. I know that I will be reunited and able to greet Jim in heaven. Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Jim affected me and thus the generations down the line that I have had the privilege to serve. (Grant Barthel MLHS '66 43yrs a WELS teacher, three children in WELS ministry.) One of Mr. B's favorite Bible verses is John 3:16. He and I both enjoyed working in one-room-schools and I got to enjoy Luth High students. Our son teaches physics at MLHS Manitowoc. We have much to share when we reunite. I have deep respect for you as Mr Batchelor' s family. God bless you all.

Helen Barthel-Dobberpuhl

July 16, 2022

He was my Physics teacher at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. (Class of 1971) He was a great teacher who cared about each student. He influenced me to become a Christian teacher myself. Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Eric Pankow

July 16, 2022

I student taught with Jim and then received a call to Milwaukee Lutheran and took over the Physics classes when he retired. What a man of strong faith and compassion! He meant a lot to me in my early ministry and I have tried to keep up with him since he retired. My wife and I tried to come to the funeral today. We drove to Iowa last night, but my wife got food poisoning so we had to return home. Sorry we missed the celebration of his eternal life.

Bonnie Terchin

July 16, 2022

I never met Mr. Batchelor, as I am a relation and friend of Sarah and Tom Dunn. After reading about his life and watching the touching photo-video of James' days , I am just so sorry I never met him. I was moved by how proud he was of his family.....he was a man highly intelligent, warm, musically talented and positive. All this came through clearly. I also keenly felt his deep connection to the land and his community. I extend my sincerest condolences to all his family and friends for their loss. He seemed a force of nature here on earth; may he rest in peace.

Michele and Garry Leep

Planted Trees

David Kreuser

July 15, 2022

My name is David Kreuser, and Mr. B was my physics teacher the 1981 -82 school year at Milwaukee Lutheran. He used to call me Mr. Kreutzer (rather than Kreuser) because he said it sounded more German. I mistakenly told him that a concept he was teaching sounded goofy to me. In a firm but kind way he reprimanded my boorishness. I am currently a civil engineer, so I use physics every day at my work. I wished I had worked harder in his class.

Mary Lou (Behrens) Doran

July 14, 2022

James & Pearl were the 2nd home in Muscatine, lived on 2nd floor, outside steps to a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. Enjoyed 3 of James children, James, Francis, a girl as a baby(have pictures) lived until they closed the Lutheran School, James and family had to move. Anxious to see James (had to be 5, now a Pastor, retiring, knew Francis & called me Woo, and a baby girl, have a picture holding her as a baby. Can't wait to see you after these years, James as a retiring Pastor. James & I lived in close at Wilton, we rode together when James was choir director for at least 2 years, enjoyed conversations in the choir. Anxious to meet his family, never forget the memory with James, I was 18, loved them ever since till they closed the Lutheran School in Muscatine. Mary Lou (Behrens) Doran.

John McClean

July 13, 2022

Your Dad's passing brings up many fond memories for me. I enjoyed having your family 'across the road' for parts of several summers. Francie and I were the same age, his early death touched me, and I remember you all well.
I believe your Dad and my Dad, David McClean, were in the same class at Wilton High School...class of 1942.
Before my Dad passed away in December of 1992, your parents were very gracious to host Karen and me and our three little girls for a week (we boarded up on the second floor of your farmhouse) during our final trip from Albuquerque NM to Iowa, to see Dad before he passed away. Then, your Dad played the organ for my Dad's funeral a week later. I am now a retired United Methodist pastor, and we live in San Antonio, TX. We knew of your Mom's passing, and our hearts join you now in the loss of your Dad.

Kathy Loveless

July 12, 2022

We often think of Mr. Batchelor and quote him at home after his wise folksy stories and quips became second nature to us in Physics class at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. “Empty wagons rattle loudly”. “You cannot break the laws of physics; you can only prove them” “ when the bullets are real” He wrote a letter to my husband Mike maybe only 2-3 years ago which he treasures- now more than ever. Our condolences to the entire family

Sheila Neal

July 12, 2022

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Batchelor. My Mother, Phyllis (Jens) Fuhlman-Beck who is 91 shared that James played the organ at each of her Sisters´ weddings at New Era. I remember him as a kind and gentle-man who always spoke of memories when he would see you. Mrs. Batchelor would be by his side on visits with him and they made even us younger folks wishing we had been born years ago just to have experienced the lifestyle of their "growing up in the country days". Please now remember the stories they shared with you all and when tears come realize God is comforting you with those precious memories.

Virginia (Boldt) Tomlinson

July 11, 2022

Rose Marie - I was so sorry to read of the death of your brother. To me he will always be "Mr. Batchelor," my 5th through 8th grade teacher at Zion's school. On one occasion our Girl Scout troop went to his family farm to pick up corn, and I got my first tractor ride, including even steering the tractor, thanks to his help. Many good memories. Many years later, when my mother, Florence, married Clarence Weiss, Mr. Batchelor became more of a "family member." Peace to you and all of the family.

Mike Bruder

July 10, 2022

Mr. Batchelor was absolutely my favorite teacher at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. I was working late nights after school and often started to nod off during class. He was the only teacher that understood and would tell me to take a quick walk around school to wake up and come back. His class was one of very few that I really enjoyed. I wish all teachers had his ability to teach and relate to their students. This world needs more men like him.

Mike Bruder MLHS Class of 73

Steve Schomberg

July 10, 2022

James' passion for genealogy and his quick eye to spot an error in a family history I posted was one of the greatest gifts I have received. He "connected the dots" between the Hucke and Schomberg families for which I am forever grateful. He generously shared the Hucke history from Pearl's ancestry that he had collected which documented that Anna Martha Schomberg was indeed Anna Martha Hucke before marrying Johannes Schomberg in Germany and that Pearl's ancestor Conrad Hucke and Anna Martha were brother and sister. Our deepest condolence on James' death.

July 10, 2022

I remember Mr. Batchelor very well from my Physics Class at Milwaukee Lutheran 56 years ago. Outstanding teacher and a very kind, caring person. Our prayers go out to all his family during this time of loss. Gary Erdmann, Class of 66.

bonnie bruss

July 10, 2022

An old neighbor from his days in Milwaukee, WI when he taught at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Our children played together (Kim & Jerelynn). Sending prayers.

Darlene Brown

July 9, 2022

His passion for music showed in his playing as well as his choir directing. He was a wonderful example to students and church members at Nazareth in Milwaukee.

Loryann Eis

July 8, 2022

Jim has been a long time friend of our family. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He told me many stories about my Eis relatives. New Era, and Pleasant Prairie. He was a walking encyclopedia and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge. My sympathy to his family.

Bill Mews

July 7, 2022

I always enjoyed playing trumpet in church with him. He was so passionate.

TF Armbruster

July 7, 2022

Mr. Batchelor was my physics teacher in 1979. I recall him playing the organ at our chapel services and remember seeing him at most every basketball game with his wife by his side. I wrote him a letter a few years ago telling him how much I appreciated him for the Christian example he set for so many young men and woman. I know he loved teaching physics, but the example he set will be his greatest gift to his students. By the way, he wrote back to me a very nice hand written letter thanking me for writing him. I am sorry for your loss.

Rohloff family

Planted Trees

Helen McClean

July 6, 2022

To his family - I am so sorry for your loss. Jim and Pearl lived in the big country house down a long lane right across the road from me and we visited often! I stopped and visited with them at other times after moving away from there nearly thirty years ago and always enjoyed the chance be with them. We exchanged Christmas cards for years also. I shall remember these times and miss him too. May God comfort you.

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