James Waters

James "Jim" Waters, 77, of Cumberland, Iowa, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018, on his farm south of his residence. James David Waters was born to Noel P. and Bertha C. (Clinton) Waters February 14, 1941, in Atlantic, Iowa. Jim was the eldest of eleven children.

Jim attended school in Atlantic, graduating from Atlantic High School in 1959. After high school he worked for various construction companies. Jim and Barb (Sunderman) joined in marriage on April 8, 1961, to this union five children were born. In 1964 he became a member of St. Timothy's Church south of Cumberland where he served many positions within the church. They continued to reside in the home they built in 1967. Jim worked construction until the early 1970s. In the early 1970s he found his lifelong passion for farming. Jim's faith and family were most important in his life; he believed that "No one is rich enough to be without God."

Jim served on the Cumberland Coop Board, the 21st Century Board, the FSA Board of Directors, and Southwest Iowa Egg Board.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barb Waters of Cumberland, IA; his five children, Donnie (Robin) Waters of Cumberland, IA, Diane (Scott) Brooks of Neola, IA, Larry (Jo) Waters of Griswold, IA, Gary (Lori) Waters of Altoona, IA, and Deb Misner of Griswold, IA; his ten siblings, Eleanor Hopkins of Underwood, IA, Marj Akers of Des Moines, IA, Frank (Sheryl) Waters of Cumberland, IA, Rita Waters of Washington D.C., Theresa (Sam) Voss of Chariton, IA, Alice (Mike) Greise of Omaha, NE, Patty (Leroy) Grieshaber of Cumberland, IA, Ben (Tammy) Waters of Marne, IA, and Linda (Lance) Coles of Ankeny, IA; his seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; his brothers/sisters-in-law, Ken (Sharon) Sunderman of Bella Vista, AR, Col. DeWayne "Bud" Sunderman of Colorado Springs, CO, Dale (Sheryl) Sunderman of Atlantic, IA, and David Sunderman of Bentonville, AR; and sister-in-law, Chick Waters of Atlantic, Iowa.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Noel and Bertha Waters; his father and mother-in-law, Orval and Clara Sunderman; his brother, Rick Waters; his brothers-in-law, Kenny Young and Robert Hopkins.

On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, the Rosary will be held from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. with visitation from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at St. Timothy Catholic Church south of Cumberland, IA, with burial in St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery.

The family of Jim Waters wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invite you to attend a gathering and sharing of your memories at a luncheon at the Cumberland Community Building following the service. Even if you cannot attend Jim's service, please join us at the luncheon to share your memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the family to be used later per Jim’s wishes.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.