James S. "Jim" Sliva

James S. “Jim” Sliva was the firstborn to Dennis and Josephine (Starzec) Sliva on March 22, 1942 in Columbus, Nebraska and passed away on December 28, 2022 at the Filmore County Hospital in Geneva, NE at the age of 80 years , 9 months, and 6 days. He attended grade school at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Tarnov, Nebraska and went to Humphrey High School in Humphrey, Nebraska graduating in 1960. He served in the US Army from July 8, 1960 to June 26, 1962 in Germany with the 2nd Infantry Division and 10th Artillery. On May 14, 1966, he married Patricia (Pat) Furby and they had 5 children. He worked and was the General Manager at the Tarnov Grain Elevator which later became Farmers Cooperative Grain. In 1983 he was promoted to Grain Merchandiser/Broker and was transferred to the office and terminals in Osceola, Nebraska and Silver Creek, Nebraska. In 1986, Jim and Pat moved to the Shickley area where he also managed and brokered for elevators in Ong, Nebraska and Sedan, Nebraska. He retired when he was 62, affording him the opportunity to buy and travel to a home in Alamo, Texas for the winter seasons. Jim was a devoted family man. He had a generous list of friends and his brothers and sister, along with their spouses, sat at the top of it. He was a sports enthusiast. He never missed the functions, events, and games of his kids and grandkids. He loved golf and played often. In fact, even last month he played a round. His golf buddies nicknamed him “The One-armed Bandit” (due to a hand amputation from a work injury in 1967) and shook their heads when he would outdrive or beat them. He was a huge NASCAR fan, boasting that he attended 30 races. He was fond of all college and professional athletics (both men’s and women’s) and playing poker, but he especially loved the Kansas City Royals and followed them faithfully. He was an active and faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Club, Ong Lion’s Club, Retired Managers Association of Nebraska and Alcoholics Anonymous. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Josie Sliva; brothers Bill Sliva and Tom Sliva; infant sister, Mary; wife Pat; daughter Shana Sharon; infant granddaughter, Kamryn Kleinschmidt; and Son-in-law, Scott Miner. He is survived by his son, Jerry Sliva and wife Amy of Shickley, Nebraska; daughters Sharri Miner of Kearney, Nebraska, Jodi Kleinschmidt and husband Russ of Shickley, Nebraska, Gina Kamler and husband Joe of Shickley, Nebraska; son-in-law Dennis Sharon of Lakewood, Colorado; grandchildren Taylor, Mariah & Hayley Sliva of Shickley, Nebraska, Morgan & Logan Miner and Caprice Meis and husband James all of Kearney, Nebraska, Matyson Hollenbeck and husband Andrew of Bassett, Nebraska, Kale, Jadyn, and Dalton Kleinschmidt of Shickley, Nebraska, Courtney, Isaac, Josiah, Macy and Levi Kamler of Shickley, Nebraska, Autumn, Bailey, and CheyAnne Sharon of Lakewood, Colorado; great grandchildren Aspen, Ryder & Lennox Meis of Kearney, Nebraska; siblings Marge Payzant (Rich) Columbus, Nebraska, Bernie Sliva (Jeanne) Columbus, Nebraska, Tim Sliva (Julie) Tarnov, Nebraska; Sisters-in-law Carolyn Sliva of Ralston, Nebraska and Patti Sliva of Humphrey, Nebraska; and special friend Judy Rasmussen of Papillion, Nebraska. A Funeral Mass for Jim was held on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Shickley, Nebraska. A Rosary was prayed the night before at 7:00 p.m. at the Church. Father Harlan Waskowiak presided over the Services. Stanley Johnson was the organist and Becky Elznic was the Cantor and the hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Prayer Of St. Francis,” “One Bread, One Body,” “Song Of Farewell,” “and “Lead Me Lord.” Pallbearers included Kale Kleinschmidt, Isaac, Kamler, Josiah Kamler, Dalton Kleinschmidt, Logan Miner, and Levi Kamler. A Graveside Service with Military Honors was held in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Military Honors were proved the by the Shickley American Legion Post 164, Shickley Sons of the American Legion, and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Shickley Community Foundation or the Shickley American Legion Post 164.

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James S. "Jim" Sliva

March 22, 1942 - December 28, 2022