James (Jim) John Anthony Joseph Vantiger

James (Jim) John Anthony

Joseph Vantiger

Mt. Union

James (Jim) John Anthony Joseph Vantiger, 88, of Mt. Union, passed away at his home on July 3, 2023, on the family farm. He entered this life as the first child of Ben and Angela Fedler Vantiger on June 29, 1935. Jim graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1953 and moved back to the West Point area. He met his future wife, Georgianna Dodge, at a square dance. He was united in marriage on May 26, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point. Jim moved back to the Mt. Union area in 1957 with his wife and started his family. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

He was a farmer in Mt. Union, mostly in the Canaan Township, “The Single Richest Township of Land in the World,” and grain merchandiser for Vantiger Farm Market. He grew many different brands of corn and soybeans over the last 60-plus years. He was very particular about how the fields were planted and had the straightest rows. He also grew peaches and cream sweet corn and popcorn. He owned a corn sheller and shelled ear corn with the help of his family for many years. In 2007, he started Vantiger Equipment & Supply, supplying tile to the community and then became a FRATCO dealer for the past 10-plus years. He also had a fleet of trucks to haul grain, with the help of his sons and grandsons. In his younger years, he was a member of a Barbershop Quartet, where he learned to play the harmonica. He taught himself how to play and enjoyed playing it for his family and friends and for funerals. He loved to go out to eat catfish, plus watching NASCAR races in Las Vegas and Kansas City and car races in Newton.

Survivors include his children, Bill (Pam) Vantiger of Yarmouth, Dave Vantiger of Mt. Union, Patty (Larry) Ford of Mt. Pleasant, Scott Vantiger of Mt. Union, and Karen (Kurt) Palar of Danville; daughter-in-law, Marcy Vantiger of Mt. Union; sisters-in-law, Anita Vantiger and Frieda Vantiger, both of Mt. Union; brother-in-law, Larry Anderson of Mediapolis; six grandchildren, Jenny, Luke, Traci, Adam, Megan and Brock; nine great-grandchildren, Grant, Gracie, Max, Brooks, Grayson, Boyd, Karsen, Nolan and Brynlee; and nieces and nephews. And his companion for many years, his dog, Max.

He was preceded in death by his wife May 14, 2022; parents; son Joe Vantiger June 23, 2021; brothers Bob and Fred; sister Wilma Anderson; and bonus son, Rick Rodgers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, West Point, with Father Dan Dorau officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union.

Visitation at Elliott Chapel, New London, will begin at noon Sunday, July 9, with the family receiving friends from 2:00 – 6:00 PM.

Memorials have been established for EveryStep Hospice; HCHC Cardio Rehabilitaion Center; Future Farmer’s of America; and Des Moines and Henry County 4-H Clubs. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.