James Sporleder

James S. Sporleder

James Steven Sporleder was born to Richard and Shirley (Maley) Sporleder on December 24,1951 in Beloit, Kansas and departed this life on January 25, 2021.  James and Virginia "Darlene" McKechnie were married on August 6, 1972 at the Assembly of God Church in Beloit, Kansas by Rev. Everett Dykes. Their first home was in Oneida, South Dakota where Jim, as he was known to family and friends, was employed with Dabco Construction building feed lots for cattle.  They returned to Beloit the following year where they made their home on a farm near Glen Elder, Kansas.

Jim worked for Farmway Coop Fertilizer Plant for 10 years and Boettcher Fertilizer Plant for 16 years. In 1999 he owned and operated his own business, James Tire Cutting Service, until his health started to decline in 2009.

Jim's greatest love was his family and he and Darlene raised 7 children together during their 48 ½ years of marriage.  Jim was a kind and caring man who would do anything to help others.  He was a quiet man of few words but had a witty sense of humor. In his younger years he enjoyed gardening, raising hogs, bucket calves, and poultry on the family farm. He took great pleasure in spending time with his family, camping and taking vacations to national parks and other places of scenic or historic interest.  Jim was an excellent cook and grill master to the delight of his wife and children.

James was proceeded in death by his parents, Richard and Shirley Sporleder, brothers Richard and Melvin Sporleder, sister Sharon Graf, and his beloved grandmother, Faye Maley.

He is survived by his wife Darlene, sons Daren of Alexandria, Nebraska, David and fiance' Janeth Gomez of Hildago, Mexico, Steven of the home, daughters Diane Kumar and husband Ajay of Cham Switzerland, Tara and fiancé Robert Blanco of Phoenix, Arizona, Sierra of Manhattan, Kansas, and Jamie of the home, grandsons Ashan Kumar of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Idhant Kumar of Cham, Switzerland, mother-in-law Ruby McKechnie of Glen Elder, Kansas, sisters Lucille Boden of Beloit, Kansas, Linda Stolzenburg and husband Ronald of Clyde, Kansas, Betty Golden and husband George of Beloit, Kansas, brothers Ron Sporleder and wife Charlene of Beloit, Kansas, Gary Sporleder and wife Patty of Beloit, Kansas and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 2 PM Friday, January 29 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to St. John's Catholic School, Salina Regional Health Center Foundation, or Rebecca Morrison House.