James M. “Jim” Casteel

James M. “Jim” Casteel

Marion

James M. “Jim” Casteel, 95, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at Bickford. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, where the family will greet friends from 2 p.m. until the service time. Certified Celebrant, Amy Hart, will officiate. A private family committal service will take place at a later date at Crab Apple Cemetery in rural Springville, Iowa.

Jim was born the youngest of six children, on Oct. 13, 1928, at home in Hopkinton, Iowa, to Archie and Roberta (Embree) Casteel. He attended school in Hopkinton, Strawberry Point and Earlville, completing the 10th grade. In 1945, just shy of his 18th birthday, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and completed basic training at El Taro Marine Air Force Base in San Diego, Calif., then served on the USS Rendoza near Japan in World War II. Returning home in 1947, his brother, Leonard, helped him begin an apprenticeship in plastering with JW Ballard. In 1950, he and brother Casey formed Casteel Plastering Co. that existed for approximately 10 years.

Also in 1950, Jim met his future wife, Marcella Dye from Igloo, S.D., who was visiting her brother in Cedar Rapids. After she returned home, he continued the romance, making several trips to visit in his 1939 Ford Coup. They married that same year and settled in Marion. When the plastering business ceased operation around 1968, he became a team master and drove the truck for Builders Material Cement Co., later known as King’s, where he continued as team master until his retirement in 1991. Also, during this time, he took on plastering jobs for his family and friends and built and sold several specific homes. The family moved to their small farm, east of Marion, in 1961, and together they raised their three children. He remodeled the old farmhouse, repaired the outbuildings and barn, and raised appaloosa horses. He enjoyed country music, working in the shed, NASCAR, NFL, Hawkeye football, and owned several motorcycles and made the trip to Sturgis, S.D., for the rally several times. He was a member of the Springville Legion Post #0331. The most important thing to him was family. Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jim is survived and lovingly remembered by daughters, Marcia (Fred) Hahn of Solon, and Nancy (Terry) Stoneking of Keystone; daughter-in-law, Susan Casteel of Mitchellville; grandchildren, Rachel (Jon) Henderson of Arlington Hills, Illinois, Ryan (Kim) Casteel of West Des Moines, Reanne Casteel of Des Moines, and Heather Hahn (Bob) of Atkins; granddaughter-in-law, Sarah Hahn; great-grandchildren, Beu and Vivian Hahn, Ally and Zach Hendrickson, and Olly Casteel; and many nieces and nephews, including David (Kim) Casteel, Donna Mesch, Barbara Oberbrockling, and Linda Judiesch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Roberta Casteel; wife, Marcella in 2004; son, James in 2010; grandson, Jason Hahn in 2020; sister, Mig Judiesch; and brothers, Casey, Leonard, Tom and Donald, who was killed in action in World War II.

Cards of condolences may be sent to Marcia Hahn at 2281 Sugar Bottom Road NE, Solon, IA 52333.

Please share a memory of Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.