James N. Ley

LANCASTER – James N. “Jim” Ley, age 96, of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Morningside Assisted Living in Lancaster. He was born on April 11, 1930, in Cassville, the eldest son of Peter and Hilda (Rauch) Ley. He married Catherine Eleanor “Kate” Weber on September 4, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. Jim entered the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at El Toro, CA as an aircraft mechanic. He attained the rank of Sergeant. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim returned home to farm with his father and his brother, Joe. He farmed for 54 years before retiring in 2000. Jim was very active in the community. He delivered Meals on Wheels for ten years, drove medical transport for Gunderson Lutheran for 14.5 years, drove the Mennonites society taking them to their appointments for over 12 years. Jim acquired many friends over the years and was the President of the Grant Antique Collectors Club for seven years, riding in many parades and antique shows. Jim was instrumental in getting the tractor display at the Grant County Fair. He owned five antique tractors, a manure spreader, two plows, sickle mower, feed and tool carrier, red trailer, and goose neck trailer. He was widely known as: “Jim Ley, the Tractor Guy.” Jim was also a proud member of the Dubuque Marie Corps League, the Dubuque Marine Corps Honor Guard, and the Richard Burns American Legion Post No. 109 of Lancaster. The few, the proud, the brave. Semper Fi.

Survivors include his children: Bev (Denny) Cathman, Dave (Deb), Pat (Cindy), Gene (Terri), Bill (Jackie), Rick (Julie), Jay (Bobbie) Ley, 21 grandchildren; many great- grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and two on the way; his siblings: Leta (Bill Bohr) Willman, Joe (Judy) Ley; in-laws: Mary Ann Harter, Jerry Weber, Jim Blum, and Mary Weber.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Kate in 1999, his parents, Peter and Hilda, his children: Michael in 2012, Thomas and Mary Therese in infancy and Donna Knapp in 2024 and her husband Jim Knapp in 2023; sister, Linda (Loren) Vondrum, mother and father-in-law, Frances and Ed Weber; special friend Norma Starrett; in-laws: Frank Kirschbaum, Keith Willman and many members of the Weber family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father Steve Brunner officiating. Private family burial with military honors will be held at St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends may visit on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. where an 8:30 a.m. Knights of Columbus rosary will be prayed. Kramer-Grau Funeral Homes & Crematory in Cassville is entrusted with his care.