James "Jimmy" Michael Flahive

James “Jimmy” Michael Flahive, age 78 of Albia passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones at his home, under the care of EveryStep Hospice and his family. Jimmy was born in Iowa City, IA the12th child of William E and Mary Ann Bingaman Flahive. He lived in Weller and spent his childhood in a big 2-story house in Lovilia. Jimmy lost his dad at the young age of 9 and his brother Bill got him a German shepherd named Shep to keep him company. He was so proud of training Shep and he kept him company pulling the sled as he delivered newspapers. He loved making ‘gravel shooters’ every summer and playing outside barefoot until the weather got cold with brother Johnny and neighborhood friends. He spent many a weekend and summer days at the farms of his aunts and uncles where he was doted on and a love of farming was instilled. He attended school in Lovilia where he was proud to say he was a ‘star pupil’. He always said his mind was on squirrel hunting instead of school work. Jimmy moved to Albia for his junior year and graduated in 1961. It was here that a certain redhead caught his eye and he was smitten. Jim married Diane Bettis on December 8, 1962 at St. Peter’s Church in Lovilia. ‘Big Red’ as he nicknamed her later. His working career started at Fred Dunkin’s and Standard gas stations. He worked for the railroad, delivered LP gas and finally at John Deere Ottumwa Works where he retired after 30 years in 1996. His true passion was farming and was thrilled when he got his first pigs, which he kept at Ben Grayson’s place. He rented the Bickert place on highway 5, moved his family there to pursue farming and finally bought his 247 acre farm in Mantua township in 1972. He spent every evening and weekend working the farm often making him late to family functions or kid’s activities. He enjoyed meeting and working with his neighbors over the years and they often heard colorful commentary when things didn’t quite go as planned. He was so proud of the equipment he purchased over time and enjoyed having row crops, hay ground, cattle and pigs, often to the chagrin of Diane. Jimmy loved coon hunting and always had hounds and later jumping mules. He showed off their jumping skills to anyone who visited the farm. He enjoyed spending time coon and deer hunting with family and friends, adventures that usually included mule wine and other beverages. He was very proud of his farm and thoroughly enjoyed showing it off at all of the family events held there including family reunions and hayrides. He purchased a team of mules and a high-wheeled wagon which he drove in parades hauling as many kids as he could fit. His Farmall Super MTA was a source of pride. Jimmy was quite a storyteller and would talk to anyone willing to listen. It was rare to see him without a grin on his face when he entered the room. To say he lived life full bore would be an understatement. He absolutely loved to dance and spent many Saturday nights at St. Peter’s Hall in Lovilia dancing and living it up with family and friends. The North End in Lovilia was one of his favorite haunts. He never turned down an opportunity to enjoy a cold beer and tell a story to his friends, old and new. He was beyond proud of his family and loved them all unconditionally and was especially proud when he fathered twin girls in 1978. He loved babies and his face lit up every time he held the newest addition to the Flahive clan. Jimmy is survived by his wife Diane; 5 children, Kendra Sinclair, Jeff (LinAnn) Flahive, Lisa (Marty) Hermsen, Sarah (Adam) Scieszinski, and Susan Leshen; 18 grandchildren, Abbey Sinclair, Angie Wells, Emily Flahive, Jessica Flahive, Daniel (Sydney) Flahive, Pason (Brooke) Hermsen, Landon Hermsen, Dawson (Kenley Pettit) Hermsen, Chase (Sara) Farrell, Carson Farrell, Cash Hall, Wil Scieszinski, Tristian Hall, Kendra Hall, Gannon Steffen, Jessica Tokle, Jack Leshen, and Josie Rutherford; 4 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Diane, Olivia Rose and Priscilla Anne Farrell, and Everly Grace Hermsen; and 2 sisters, Catherine (Jack) Thomas of San Marcos, CA and Delores Littlejohn of West Des Moines, IA. Jimmy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Ann Flahive; 3 brothers, Edward, William, and John Flahive; 7 sisters, Madeline Stanley, Bernice Flattery, Mary ‘Tess’ Grimes, Geraldine Grimes, Marjorie Martin, Florence Welch, and Joann Derby; 3 sons-in-law, Chris Hall, Kirk Leshen, and Bill Sinclair and a grandson-in-law Chad Wells. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Jimmy’s family present to greet family and friends. A rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian Wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia. Due to the most recent proclamation and enhanced public health measures for the state of Iowa, masks will be mandatory for those in attendance over the age of 2 for both visitation and the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia, EveryStep Hospice or Monroe County Hospital & Clinics. Condolences may be left for the family at www.tharpfh.com.

James "Jimmy" Michael Flahive

November 11, 1942 - November 27, 2020