James "Jim" Schwartz

James L. Schwartz, 85, of Atlantic, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017, at Atlantic Specialty Care.

The son of Carl Christian and Anna Louise (Kuehl) Schwartz, he was born February 26, 1932, on the homeplace west of Atlantic. He attended Washington #3 grade school through the 8th grade and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1949. He entered the United States Air Force in April of 1951 and served in Korea; he was discharged in 1953.

Jim was united in marriage to Rita Ann Smith, June 6, 1954, at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic. They lived and farmed west of Atlantic for three years before moving to Florida in 1957, where he was in the construction trade. Ten years later, they moved back to Davenport, Iowa and in 1970, returned to Atlantic, where he built homes until retirement in 1994. While in Florida and Atlantic, he and Rita enjoyed going to horse and dog races with friends and trips to Las Vegas and Hawaii. Jim was a lifetime member of BPO Elks Lodge #445 in Atlantic and VFW Post #210 in Anita. He was always ready for Elks’ Monday dinners and a game of cards in the Banana Room with the guys. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, mushroom hunting and playing poker. He made the daily drive to the Horseshoe in Council Bluffs to play Texas Hold ‘Em with his group of buddies over there and got a kick out of making a couple extra bucks trading coins on the side. His expertise in numismatic “coin collecting” brought him great joy. He always gave a fair and honest quote by staying up on the latest values from reading Coin World and numerous other coin magazines. Though he was “deaf and couldn’t hear a thing!” he was rarely seen without a cigar clenched in his jaw and often seen speeding around town in his truck; “just a H--- of a Guy!” His wish was that those who care about him would “take care of business and celebrate; go home, pour a glass of wine and do a toast to ‘Ole Jim’.”

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Angeleen “Angie” (Mike) Sweeney of Fort Collins, CO and Jennifer “Jennie” Schwartz of Atlantic; grandchildren, Alicia Sweeney-Oster, Daniel Sweeney and Shawn Sweeney all of Fort Collins, CO, and Chelsie Schwartz of Denver, CO; great grandchildren, Cameron Schwartz, Haleigh Sweeney and Jackson Brosam; and a sisters and brother-in-law, Janie Schwartz of Atlantic, Rhea Jo (Dick) Whetstone of Atlantic, and Randy (Denise) Smith of Bonner Springs, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rita Ann; brothers, Darrell Schwartz and Carlyle Schwartz; and brother-in-law, Douglas Smith.

Open visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. until time of visitation with the family on Tuesday, November 21st at Roland Funeral Home. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Roland Funeral Home, Tuesday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Roland Funeral Home, with Pastor Dean McPherson of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Jim’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

In His Memory

James “Jim” Schwartz

BORN
February 26, 1932
Atlantic, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
November 17, 2017
Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
85 Years, 8 Months & 22 Days

FUNERAL SERVICES
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Roland Funeral Home
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Dean McPherson
First United Methodist Church
Atlantic, Iowa

RECORDED MUSICAL SELECTION
“And I Love You So” by Perry Como

CASKET BEARERS
Danny Sweeney
Shawn Sweeney
Ryan Whetstone
Tyler Whetstone
Gary Andersen
Steve Comes

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery
Atlantic, Iowa

You are invited to join the family for lunch at the
Elks Lodge, #445, following the service at the cemetery.