James Louis Lynch, 85, passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel. Cremation will follow services, and private inurnment will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Bancroft, Iowa, at a later date.
Jim was born in Bancroft, the son of Daniel and Laura (Sandschulte) Lynch.
He grew up in Mason City and was a 1955 graduate of Holy Family High School. He continued his education with an A.A. from North Iowa Area Community College, B.A. from the University of Iowa and M.A. from Truman University.
Jim married Marilyn Passow on Aug. 18, 1962, in Clare, Iowa.
He taught at Riceville High School, Indianola High School, Des Moines Area Community College and Upper Iowa University.
Jim served as a member of the 61st General Assembly of the State of Iowa, Dallas County Auditor and Director of Dexfield School District.
For more than 17 years he served as a labor relations consultant and negotiator.
He began work as a Senior Environmental Employee for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1994.
Jim and Marilyn moved to their acreage near Redfield in 1969.
Jim was active in the Democratic party, the Knights of Columbus and St. John’s Catholic Church.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn; four children, Lisa (Mike) Washburn of Licking, Missouri, Lana (Gene Hug) Lynch of Omaha, Nebraska, Amy (Dan) Bishop of Marion, Iowa, and James J. (Karen) Lynch of Des Moines; 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel, where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus or Redfield Fire Department (and Rescue). Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
