James G. “Jim” Stoecklein, 89, died December 24, 2024 at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson.
He was born July 21, 1935 (the 7th of 17 children) on a farm southwest of Bazine, KS in Ness County, the son of Martin & Anna (Depperschmidt) Stoecklein. Jim graduated from Ness City High School in 1953, served in the U.S. Army for three years, stateside and in Germany (20 months), from Oct. 1953 to Oct. 1956. He graduated from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Jim was employed at Master Machine Tools of Hutchinson in August 1962, retiring in July 1999 after 37 years.
Jim belonged to Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #7279 at Holy Cross and #0287 (4th degree) Wichita Columbia Assembly, later #2964 (4th degree), Father David Cushing Assembly, Hutchinson, Kansas. Jim was also involved with: Perpetual Adoration since its inception in January 1989 (Friday mornings at 6 am for over 33 years), Holy Cross Catholic Church Dillon Certificate Program from 1989 until it was discontinued. Jim also assisted with the Holy Cross funeral dinners for many years and was active with the Reno County Food Bank for about 15 years.
On June 13, 1960, he married Venita Ann Stegman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ness City, KS. They shared 64 years of marriage. She survives.
Other survivors include: one son, Dennis James “Denny” and wife Michelle, two daughters, Elaine Renee Weninger and husband Mark, and Pamela Sue “Pam” Nelson, and a daughter-in-law Janet, all of Hutchinson, KS, one brother, Donald ”Don” and wife Beth of Spring Hill, KS; four sisters, Mary Ann Pavlu of Ness City, KS, Sr. Darlene Stoecklein of El Paso, TX, Betty Gassman and husband Sam of Manhattan, KS, Donna Werth and husband Paul of Great Bend, KS, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Daniel James “Dan” Stoecklein, six brothers, Harvey, Melvin, Leonard, Gary, Martin Jr. and one stillborn, five sisters, Sr. Virginia Stoecklein, LuVera Rohr, Cleo Werth, Judith Stoecklein and Dorothy Mae Stoecklein.
Parish Rosary will be 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, followed at 10:00 a.m. by Mass of Christian Burial, with Father William P. Stuever officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the James G. (Jim) and Venita A. Stoecklein Scholarship Fund at Hutchinson Community College, the Cancer Council of Reno County, Holy Cross Catholic Church, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, all in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.