James 'Jim' Harvey, 79 of Akron, Iowa, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Akron.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 23, 2022 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

James Douglas Harvey was born in a house in Akron, Iowa during a snowstorm on January 17, 1943 to Donald and Eleanor (Stene) Harvey. He grew up in rural South Dakota where he attended Hoyt country school through 8 ^th grade. He then graduated from Akron High School in 1961. Jim was a lifelong farmer; first helping on the family farm and working as a hired hand for neighboring farmers. Jim was united in marriage to Penny Blum on August 3, 1963 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron. They lived on a farm in rural South Dakota for five years before moving to a farm in Iowa. Jim milked dairy cattle for 37 years before retiring from the dairy industry in 2000. Jim also grew crops and raised hogs and beef cattle over the years; he was still helping to plant with his sons in the spring of 2022.

Jim enjoyed bowling, hunting, riding motorcycle, collecting guns and toy tractors. He also enjoyed fishing and took many trips to fish with friends in Canada. He was an avid Miami Dolphins and Iowa State Cyclones fan. Jim also really enjoyed going to the Plymouth County Fair. Jim and Penny used to love to go dancing in their younger years and also played in many card clubs. Jim enjoyed watching western movies, Jeopardy, and live dancing shows such as Lawrence Welk and Mollie B.

Jim was a long-time member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and was a member of several community organizations: Knights of Columbus, Akron Co-op Board, Pork Producers, and the Westfield Township Board. He was also a 4-H Leader and kept the records for the Westfield Township Cemetery for many years.

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Penny Harvey; three children: Brad (Chris) Harvey of Akron, IA, Sonya (Mark) Eskra of Ames, IA, and Chad (Sarah) Harvey of Akron, IA; eight grandchildren: Kelsie (Tony) Reuter of Plymouth, MN, Marissa (Jeremiah) Fuller of Kansas City, MO, Monica (Mick) Sitzmann of Hinton, IA, Natalie Harvey of Akron, IA, Eric (Hannah) Eskra of Davenport, IA, Cory (Mia) Eskra of Adel, IA, Cal (fiancée, Hailey) Eskra of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Connor Harvey of Akron, IA; six great grandchildren: William Fuller, Sloane and Beau Reuter, Veda Sitzmann, Shephard and Jack Eskra; siblings: Sharon (Fred) McPherson of Fort Dodge, IA, Duane (Alvina) Harvey of Baltic, SD, Linda (Stan) Rolfes of Akron, IA, Nancy (LeRoy) Sveegen of Beresford, SD, and Doug (Tamara) Harvey of Casper, WY; sister in law, Iola (Bob) Frerichs of Akron, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and parents in law, Edmund and Virginia Blum.