Obituary: James McGarvey

James Peter McGarvey, 90, of Traer, Iowa, formerly of Eagle Center, Iowa, passed  away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, surrounded by his family at Sunrise Hill Care  & Rehab Center in Traer.  

Jim was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on June 30, 1935, the son of Sylvester and Blanche  (Kirsch) McGarvey. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in  Eagle Center. Jim graduated from St. Mary of Mount Carmel School in 1953.  

On March 1, 1954, Jim married Shirley Keefe at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo.  After briefly living near Jesup, they returned to farm at Eagle Center in January 1955. Jim and  Shirley farmed there until 2015. Along with farming, Jim operated James P. McGarvey Trucking  from 1971 to 2000. He was an active member of St. Mary’s, serving on the parish council,  greeting and ushering, and volunteering at many church events—often found selling tickets at  parish breakfasts.  

Jim was a lifelong card player who joyfully taught generations of family and friends to  share in his love of the game. Anyone lucky enough to play cards with him was blessed indeed.  He was also a proud member of the IH Collectors Club and the John Deere Collectors  Club, traveling with his tractors to many national shows. Jim enjoyed countless tractor rides  and never missed bringing his tractors to Antique Acres for 60 years.  

Jim and Shirley shared a spirit of adventure, taking many road trips—including camping  in Alaska for their 50th anniversary. They spent 23 wonderful years as Winter Texans after some  earlier winters in Florida, cherishing their time in the Rio Grande Valley with their beloved San  Juan Gardens family in San Juan, Texas.  

Jim is survived by his bride of 71½ years, Shirley, and their seven children: Pat (Cathy)  McGarvey of Mt. Auburn; Mary Lou (Scott) Drnovsek of Thornton, CO; Jeannie Waite (Craig  Embretson) of Palo; Eddie (Sara) McGarvey of Buckingham; Judy Fisher (Gene Engelkes) of  Janesville; Jackie McGarvey (Mary Lou Culwell) of Sarasota, FL; and Carol (Don) Faulkner of  Olathe, KS.  

He was blessed with 21 grandchildren: Jennifer, Jay (Joyce), David (Tosha), Mallory  (Nik), Sam (Miranda), Shelby (Mike), Derek (Andrea), Devon (Kristina), Dustin (Marja), Dawn  (Brian), Justine (Drew), Steven (Kaylee), Ben (Ashton), David (Ashley), Keir, Hayley, Olivia,  Daniel, Adam (Lexi), Miranda (Jeiffry), and Tony.  

Jim also leaves behind 35 great-grandchildren: Marcelo (Skylar), Luis, Selena (Sam),  Mikia (Madeline), Sandra, Scarlett, Jaxson, Hannah, Wyatt, Clementine, Ryken, Larkyn,  Montgomery, Dorothy, Jettson, Asher, Colter, Mara, Josey, Piper, Emmett, Isaac, Evan, Brynlee,  Ellie, Cole, AJ, Arya, Autumn, Amber, Teaza (Sharrod), DJ (Cleaira), Milo, Cohen, and Benji.  

And next came five great-great-grandchildren, with three more on the way: Ariana,  Javier, Leonel, Love Lita, and Azarye.  

Jim is survived by his siblings: Margaret Ann Steffen, Wayne (Becky) McGarvey, Paula  (Ken) Ladage, and Beth (Bill) Taylor. He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Jim  Weber, Carol McGarvey, Ronald Cottrell, Judy Keefe, and David Carlson; as well as numerous  nieces and nephews.  

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Blanche McGarvey; his in laws, Wilfred and Teresa Keefe; a son-in-law, Steve Fisher; his sisters, Mary Alice Weber and  Frances Marie (infant); his brother, Tom McGarvey; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Cletus  Steffen, Marie Adams, Dorothy and Eugene Moore, Joe and Mary Keefe, Rita and Verlyn Mayer,  Colleen Cottrell, Jim Keefe, and Georgia Carlson.  

Funeral Mass was held on Monday, November 17, with burial in the church cemetery.  Hagarty Waychoff Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway Avenue is assisting the family.