James "Jim" Joseph Cleary

James “Jim” Joseph Cleary, 68, of Delhi, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family, following a February cancer diagnosis. Jim gave the gift of sight by being an eye donor. A Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Old St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 995 5th Avenue in Marion. Father Emmanuel Fenelus will officiate. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Jim was born on November 24, 1956, in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, the son of John “Jack” and Monna (Croce) Cleary. He was a 1975 graduate of Lost Nation High School and went on to attend Hamilton Technical College in Davenport, Iowa. On May 24, 1980, Jim was united in marriage to Penny Bennett and to this union, two sons were born, Colter and Keegan. Jim later married Darlene Agnes Fleckenstein on October 16, 2004, in Palo, Iowa, adding four more children to complete their family.

Jim was a jack-of-all-trades. He worked for many places including Chicago Northwestern Railroad, FS Farm Service, UPS, and Lowes. Jim was also a skilled tiler and owned and operated Diamond Floors, installing custom showers and floors. Together, Darlene and Jim owned and operated The Pizza Place in Lake Delhi. Following Jim’s semi-retirement in 2021, they loved to travel, having many great adventures together. He cherished his frequent conversations with his boys, sharing his love of music and sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Da Bears. Papa Jim enjoyed fishing and boating on the lake with his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. He loved them very much. Family was everything to Jim. He enjoyed spending time with his siblings and their families. Jim was an avid runner. He was very proud to be the only remaining original runner who participated in all 38 years of the Lost Nation Rustic Run. Jim had an Irish heart of gold and everyone he met, even if briefly, always remembered him. The families’ hearts are broken but his “Jim-erisms” and original dance moves will never be forgotten.

Jim is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Darlene Cleary of Delhi; two sons, Colter Cleary and Keegan Cleary, both of Iowa City, Iowa. He also has a son, Brooke (Katie) Gombert and their children, Rydan and Rayce, of Anamosa, Iowa; two daughters, Ashley (Kevin) Wright and their children, Saylor, Sunny, and Skylar, of Marion, and Chelsey (Mitchell) Whitney and their children, Remy and Elle, of Marion; three sisters, Julie (Ray) Hainstock of Wyoming, Iowa, Rhonda (Darvin) Hasenbank of Avondale, Arizona, and Kelly (Alan) Schroeder of Lost Nation, Iowa; one brother, Joe (Pam) Cleary of Coralville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews, who adored him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel Gombert; and brother, Mark Cleary.

Memorials in Jim’s memory may be directed to the family.