James "Jim" Preheim

James "Jim" Adolph Preheim, age 90, of Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, Kansas, formerly of Peabody, Kansas, passed away on October 29, 2025.

James was born to Florence and Adolph Waltner on October 19, 1935. Unfortunately, Adolph was not able to meet his son, as he passed prior to James' birth. Florence then married Waldo Preheim, and James was adopted on November 1, 1941 by Waldo. James was baptized at Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge on June 1, 1952. He was a current member of Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing, Kansas.

James married Gladys Krehbiel on May 15, 1960. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage and were blessed with three children: Bernice, Bonnie, and Randall.

James attended Meridian Grade School near Moundridge. He was a graduate of Moundridge High School, Bethel College, and Emporia State Teacher's College. He served in 1W service in Denver, Colorado. Throughout James' life he farmed, taught school, and sold insurance. He enjoyed coaching 7th and 8th grade girls and boys basketball at Elbing Grade School. He also enjoyed coaching biddy basketball at Elbing. His teams were very successful. Not only did he coach basketball but he coached softball, baseball, and track. He valued hard work, perfection, and family. Church was an important part of James' life. He taught Sunday School, held church offices, and was a youth group sponsor at Zion Mennonite Church. He also served on the Peabody Community Foundation, Mid-Kansas Coop board, and the Agri-Urban board.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph Waltner, and Florence and Waldo Preheim; brother, Calvin Preheim; brother-in-law, Ken Graber; sister-in-law, Marilyn Preheim; niece, Gina Preheim.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Preheim; children, Berni (Russ) Ronnebaum, Bonnie Shaw, and Randall (Kathy) Preheim; grandchildren, Trey (Julia) Ronnebaum, Blake (Patrick Gillespi) Ronnebaum, Christopher (Erik Breckenridge) Shaw, Bradley Shaw, Wesley (Ali) Shaw, Kaitlyn Preheim, Zachary Preheim, Nicholas Preheim; great-grandchildren, Harold Rex Ronnebaum, Haizley Shaw; siblings, Ken Preheim, Judy Graber; brother-in-law, Marion (Alice) Krehbiel; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held at Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MCC, Bethel College, New Hope Shelter, or Kidron Bethel Village. All donations, memorials, and condolences for the family may be left with Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, Kansas.