James Kearns

Cremation was chosen by James; No Visitation, but friends may sign register book Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm at the funeral home.

James Emmett Kearns, son James and Florence Ethel (Neel) Kearns, was born March 4, 1942 in Concordia, Kansas. He passed from this life Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at home in Belleville, Kansas wife his wife and daughter by his side. He was 74 years of age. Jim was united in marriage to Susan Jeanne Derowitsch on July 7, 1962 at Friends Church in Belleville, Kansas. To this union of 54 years two children, Darren and Jami were born. Jim was commonly referred to as “Hop” by family and friends. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who loved to golf, fish, play cards and spend time outdoors. He faithfully worked for 48 years in the newspaper industry across the country, including the Blade Empire, Salina Journal, and Las Vegas Review Journal. He retired from the newspaper business at the Muskogee Phoenix in 2008, when he and his wife Susan moved back to Belleville. Jim most recently worked for the Concordia School District and enjoyed spending time with the students and teachers. Jim never knew a stranger and liked to tell stories to anyone he’d meet. In his later years, Jim and Susan enjoyed traveling with friends and sharing stories about their travels. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Raymond Kearns and Harold Neel; sister Sally Evans; sister-in-law Consuela Neel, and his son Darren Kearns. He will be forever remembered by his loving wife Susan of their home; daughter Jami Lummus, Collinsville, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law Lisa Kearns, Augusta, Kansas; grandchildren Malorie Djinov and husband Kiril, Dallas, Texas, Calen Kearns and wife Andrea, El Dorado, Kansas, Kelsey Kearns, Augusta, Kansas, and Bradley Kearns, Collinsville, Oklahoma; many other relatives and friends.