James Douglas Leffler (75) of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Newton

Private burial was in the Riverside Cemetery in Newton, Illinois.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

James Douglas, was born on February 22, 1945, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the son of Dorris Douglas “Doug” and Dorothy C. (Foege) Leffler.  In 1948, the family moved to West Liberty, Illinois, and Jim attended West Liberty Grade School and he graduated from the eighth grade in 1959.  The family moved to Newton that same year and he attended Newton Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1963.

Jim joined the United States Air Force and was inducted just 5 days after his high school graduation on May 28, 1963.  He was a Military Occupational Specialist and specialized in electronics and trained on flight simulators and was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He was honorable discharged on May 26, 1967.

On April 12, 1969, Jim was united in marriage to Jan Peterson of Marshall, Minnesota, and she survives.

After his military service, Jim joined IBM and retired in 1997, after 30 years of service.  He worked in Champaign and Springfield, Illinois; Poughkeepsie, New York and Rochester, Minnesota; performing computer repair service, programing and 2nd and 3rd level phone technical support.Jim was an avid collector of glass and western art.  He enjoyed traveling and been all around the world. 

Jim is survived by: Wife of 51 years Jan Leffler of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Brother and Sister-in-law Jay and Patsy Leffler of Newton, Illinois Several nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Lora and Larry Short.

Online condolences may be left by clicking here.