HALSTEAD - Jimmie Lee "Jim" Held, 79, passed away on Thursday (March 25, 2010) at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita.
He was born on Oct. 12, 1930, in Newton, the son Ollie and Gertrude (Smith) Held.
On Feb. 12, 1951, he married Lois G. McMillen. Their union was blessed with five children.
They owned and operated Held's Gas and Groceries in Halstead for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Halstead Chamber of Commerce and was proud to help organize the 100th Old Settler's Day Celebration.
He also farmed and raised sheep.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, of Halstead; sons, Roger and wife Kathy Held of Wichita, and Sammie of California; daughters, Robin and husband Chris Stephens of Sweetwater, Texas, Sandy McChesney and companion Bill Southern of Valley Center, and Martha Chastain of Cheney; a brother, Robert Held of Wichita; a sister, Nell and husband Dick Endsley of Wichita; a brother-in-law, Alvin Hamant of Benton; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Helen Hamant.
The family will greet friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S. Main St. in Whitewater.
There will be a private family funeral service. Interment will be in the Green Valley Cemetery in Furley.
The Jim Held Memorial Fund has been established, in lieu of flowers, in care of Lamb Funeral Home, P.O.
Box 358, Whitewater, KS 67154.
