Jim Alderfer 1948-2016
James “Jim” Edward Alderfer, 68 of Centralia died Monday, April 18, 2016, at a hospital in Lincoln, Neb.
Jim was born March 23, 1948, in Sabetha, to Roy and Eva (Strahm) Alderfer. He lived on a farm north of Sabetha and attended a one-room school until third grade at the Rock Creek School.
After moving into Sabetha, he attended Sabetha Schools and graduated in the class of 1966. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear Naval ship. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Seneca and Centralia American Legion.
Jim worked in the heating, plumbing and air conditioning industry his entire working career. He began working for Lehmann & Meyer in Sabetha following his discharge from the Navy, then formed A&T Plumbing partnership with Frances Tibbets in Seneca and then started his own company, Jim’s Plumbing and Heating in Centralia.
He began working as a sales rep and then manager for Reeves-Wiedeman Company, Manhattan, in 1993 and later transferred to the Topeka branch, where he remained manager until his retirement in November 2015.
He was an avid bowler and won many State VFW Bowling Tournament Championships through the years. He was elected to serve on the Centralia City Council in 1985 through 1995 and as the “Mayor” from 1995 to 2006. He was involved in the Summer Ball Association, serving as president and also coaching many years.
He married Camilla Jo Keener at the First Baptist Church in Horton on June 12, 1982. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons; Cole (Jill) Alderfer of Corning and Cameron Alderfer and fiancee Anne Bachman of Centralia; a daughter, Camilla “Nikki” Garst and fiancé Kenneth Robinson of Centralia; five grandchildren, Quentin, Ashlan and Jensen Alderfer, Stratton Garst and Camilla Kennedy Robinson; a sister Eula (Leonard) Swindale of Holton; and a sister-in-law, Jan Alderfer of Stephenville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Eva Alderfer, and two brothers, Kenneth and Richard Alderfer.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 22 at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha. Interment was in Horton Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Riders, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, KS 66534. www.popkessmortuaries.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
