James Henline, Sr.
Master Sergeant Jim Henline, Sr., age of 84 years, 9 months, and 12 days, of Minneota, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017, at the Clarkfield Care Center in Clarkfield, Minnesota.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 18, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Military Honors provided by Marshall American Legion, Post 113.
Interment will be at a later date in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held before the service, from Noon – 2 p.m. Friday, August 18, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
James Nelson Henline was born November 2, 1932, in Primghar, Iowa, to Nelson and Ada (Wacker) Henline. He was raised in the Methodist faith and attended high school in Primghar.
Jim joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and was proud to serve his country for over 20 years. He was stationed in San Antonio and Amarillo, Texas, as well as Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona, before serving with the flight squadron in Sioux City, Iowa.
While on leave, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Kimmel on March 19, 1953, in Primghar, Iowa. He and Shirley were deployed to Okinawa from 1959 to 1964, where they raised their family. Jim then served with his family in Alabama before he was called away to Southeast Asia.
Jim served as crew chief, maintaining F-100, F-105, and various other fighter aircraft during his deployment.
In 1967, he returned and moved his family to Marshall, Minnesota. Jim retired from the United States Air Force in 1972 as a Master Sergeant.
Shirley and Jim owned Jim’s Drive-In in Minneota from 1973 – 1976 and then he worked for O’Connell Motors.
Jim’s last calling was to Southwest Minnesota State University where he was the Grounds Foreman from 1976 – 1994.
Shirley passed away April 19, 1995. The couple spent 43 years of marriage together and raised four children. In earlier years, Jim farmed with Shirley’s family and he also enjoyed time spent with his father growing up as he learned a love for family.
He was eternally proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He made many memories with Shirley at their place at Woman Lake.
He loved to cook, especially an acquired talent for fried chicken on Sundays with family.
He loved the Minnesota and Minneota Vikings and other football events, fishing, and promoting patriotism.
Blessed be his memory.
Jim is survived by his four children, Cindy Henline of Ghent, Tim (and Betty) Henline of Monticello, Tammy (and Ron) Thostenson of Minneota, James Jr. “Bud” (and Deb) Henline of Minneota; 9 grandchildren, Angie (and Lee) Hettling, Luke Henline, Justin (and Megan) Thostenson, Jennifer (and Jason) Johnson, Julie (and Kurt) Fier, Joe (and Abby) Thostenson, Nicki Coequyt, Joshua Henline (Jessica), Brandon Henline; 18 great-grandchildren and one expected in November, Kelsey Hettling, Jameson Hettling, Gabby Hettling, Gavyn Hettling, Chase Johnson, Cole Johnson, Camden Johnson, Destin Fier, Derek Fier, Drew Fier, Hudson Thostenson, Alexis Thostenson, Ivy Thostenson, Anthony Moreno, Lydia Coequyt, Leah Coequyt, Laney Coequyt, Annabelle Henline; sister, Alfa Chapin of Sheldon, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Ada Henline; wife, Shirley Henline; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Dena Kimmel; brother, Perry Henline; sister, Nadine Parry; niece, Debbie Sue Henline; sisters-in-law, Karen Kleinheksel, Bev O’Neil; and brothers-in-law, Larry O’Neil, and Keith Kimmel.