James “Jim” Whaley
James “Jim” Whaley, 78, of Conrad, IA, formerly of Marshalltown, IA passed away Monday, July 6, 2026, surrounded by his family at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Interment will follow funeral services at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown, followed by a time of food and fellowship at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Jim was born on February 11, 1948, to John Sr. and Margaret (Riemenschneider) Whaley of Albion. After graduating from Marshalltown High School in 1966, he went to work in the sales department at Lennox. There, he met and married his wife of 58 years, Brenda Nuese. Jim and Brenda settled on an acreage outside Marshalltown, where they lived for more than 50 years and raised their children, Jamie, James, and Jacey.
Jim’s life was defined by hard work, love of family, generosity of spirit, faith in God, and the occasional loud hobby. He spent nearly 35 years working as a machinist at Fisher Controls by night and as a carpenter or groundskeeper by day. After taking early retirement from Fishers in 2003, he joined the Marshalltown High School Building and Grounds staff, where he worked for another 10 years.
In his spare time, Jim liked to enjoyed working in his garden, which was always twice as big as it needed to be. He was also an avid stock car racing fan, traveling around Central Iowa to attend and work at different speedways. He spent many of his retired years restoring his 1967 Plymouth Belvedere and a 1966 Chevrolet pickup that belonged to his dad. When Jim wasn’t busy with work or hobbies, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of sitting on the front porch and listening to the oldies station on the radio–usually with a cat nearby. He was also an active lifetime member of the Albion Presbyterian Church.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Richard, of Mingo; and his in-laws George and Caroline Nuese. He is survived by his wife Brenda, of Conrad; daughter Jamie, of Germantown, Maryland; son James (April), of Franklin, Wisconsin; daughter Jacey (Pat) Lehman, of Conrad; brother John Whaley Jr., of Albion; grandchildren Cole Lehman, Lily Whaley, Evan Whaley, Leah Lehman, and Gianna McCaw; in-laws Brad and Sue Nuese, Brent and Echo Nuese, Barry Nuese, and Sandy Whaley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim liked to keep things casual, and he requested that everyone attending his services do the same. Please come in jeans, racing t-shirts, or whatever you find comfortable.
Memorials may be made to Iowa River Hospice.