James H. Earnest, 88, of Wapello, passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Klein Center in West Burlington. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at the Wapello United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Wapello Cemetery. Following the committal services, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Monday, November 8, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a 7:00 p.m. Masonic Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wapello Fire and Rescue or the Wapello United Methodist Church in memory of James. Sympathy messages can be left for the family at www.sandfuneralservice.com.
James Harrison Earnest was born on August 1, 1933, the son of Robert and Pearl (Deam) Earnest. He was a 1951 graduate of Wapello High School. James proudly served his country in the United States Army. On August 28, 1960, James was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Miller in Wapello. James owned and operated Earnest Insurance Agency for 65 years and was the manager of the Louisa Mutual Insurance Association. He was a longtime member of the Wapello United Methodist Church, Wapello Masonic Lodge #5 AF & AM for 65 years as a Master Mason and served as Worshipful Master in 1963. James was also a member of the Wapello Volunteer Fire Department for 50 plus years, including serving as Chief. James was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers fan and loved serving the Wapello community, but most of all, he dearly loved to spend time with his family.
James will be deeply missed by his wife, Shirley of Wapello; his children, Steve (Lora) Earnest of Wapello, Linda (Ron) Tyrrell of DeKalb, Illinois and Todd (Kim) Earnest of Wapello; five grandchildren, C.J. Earnest, Annie Tyrrell, Jason Delzell, Keri Butler and Alex Earnest; eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clarence Earnest and two sisters, Pauline Swafford and Helen McKinney.
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