James Robert Whitham, Jr.

Private Family Services for James R. Whitham, Jr., age 70 of Sibley who passed away Tuesday at the Country View Manor in Sibley, IA will be held at a later date.

James Robert Whitham “Jim” was born on August 12, 1952, in Belton, TX.  His father was a career serviceman in the US Army. Because of this, while going up, Jim moved all over the country and even lived overseas twice.

Jim began working part-time at a fruit market at the age of 14. By the age of 16, he started working full-time in the grocery business and continued to do so for the next 11 years. For the next 3 years Jim worked for the State of Missouri. While employed with the state he was a firearms instructor and a member of a recreational shooting team that competed nationally.

After leaving his job with the state, he went to work in the meatpacking industry and worked his way up to HACCP, Quality Assurance Manager and Food Safety. The last plant Jim worked for was Dakota Provisions in Huron, SD. Jim was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September of 2015. In the fall of 2016, his health issues forced him to retire.

He married the love of his life Karen (Stallmann) Dagel on July 1, 2011. 

After 7 ½ years his many different treatment options ran out and Jim entered hospice in April 2023. He passed away July 25, 2023.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, James “Buck” Whitham, and his stepmother, Delpha M. Whitham. 

He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, James “Mike” (Ashley) Whitham; his daughter, Christine R. Staab; grandchildren, Madison and Logan Whitham, and Joshua, Jackson and Emma Staab. Also surviving are stepchildren, Jed, Adam, Luke and Wyatt Dagel and their spouses; and step-grandchildren, Kelsey, Taylor, Tristan, Natalie and John Dagel.

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