James LeRoy Eichelberger departed from this life on June 6, 2024. He was born in Wayland, Iowa to Chris and Leah Eichelberger on December 22, 1936. His parents were farmers. He attended Wayland High School, excelled in basketball and baseball and graduated in 1954.

After high school, he completed his civil service at a hospital in Denver, Colorado. After this he moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa and became a turkey farmer. There he met Margaret “Peggy” Parks. Shortly after, he became convinced he should give up turkey farming and finish his college degree. He attended Iowa Wesleyan College and married Peggy on December 28, 1961. They had two sons, Chris and Jeff. Upon graduation he began his 33-year career in Human Resources with J.I Case. He worked in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin over the course of his career. Retiring in 1998 in Racine, Wisconsin.  

He enjoyed coaching youth sports, playing golf, traveling with Peggy, watching sports, hosting exchange students and serving on various church committees.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, and his four grandchildren.