July 18, 1935 – September 1, 2025
James “Jim” Porter, 90, passed away on September 1, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Mason City, Iowa.
Jim was born at home in rural Clay County Illinois to Barlo and Lydia (Welty) Porter. His early years were spent fishing on the Little Wabash River, hunting, and helping out at home.
On October 30, 1955, he married Angel Dishong in Claremont, Illinois. They welcomed two children, Sherry (Tim) Schmitt, Norfolk, Nebraska and Larry (Jodi), Porter, Northwood, Iowa.
Jim worked at a shoe factory, in the oil fields, and then as a milkman in Kansas City while attending telegraphy training. He worked as a station agent for the Rock Island Railroad and then as a Vice President for the Iowa Northern Railway until his retirement.
Jim loved to dance, play cards, garden, and hunt. One of his greatest joys was helping and giving to others. For many years he delivered meals on wheels in southern Illinois. Jim was always very active, even well into his later years. Walking 3 miles and swimming for an hour a day, lifting weights even. Even at 88 he was still out hunting and dragging deer out of the woods. It was only in recent months that he really started to slow down, and he couldn’t quite beat his short battle with cancer.
Jim is survived by his dear companion, Margie Barber; his children; grandchildren, Brandy Willett, Billy (Adam) Holmberg, Donielle (Mike) Larson, Crystal (Ben) Sun, Kathy Porter, and John Porter; great-grandchildren, Addison and Gavin Willett, Isabel and Mitchell Larson, Walter, Lydia and Miriam Holmberg; his brother, Robert (Sandra) Porter; brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Sara Dishong; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Angel in 1981; his parents; brothers, John Porter, Joe Porter and Jerry Porter; sisters Betty Pemberton and Jenny Cook; and sister and brother-in-law, Barb (Bill) Harmon.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Northwood Meals on Wheels.
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