Obituary of James Trantina

Jimmie Dale Trantina, the son of Joseph and Tillie (Merkwan) Trantina was born in Dante, South Dakota on September 25, 1932. He spent his childhood years in Yankton, South Dakota, and graduated from Yankton High School. In October of 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on May 31, 1955. Jim was married to Phyllis Schmidt, and they were blessed with six children, Kelly, Laure, Jay, Kay, Scott and Danny. The couple later divorced. On February 19, 1982, he was united in marriage to Jeri Ogden at Elk Point, South Dakota. They made their home in Sanborn, Iowa. Jim worked as a bridge and highway construction supervisor in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota until his retirement. After his first retirement at age 62, Jim spent several more years driving for RTA, and really enjoyed the children he transported to their schools. He was a member of St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved all sports, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Jim loved to visit, and almost NEVER met a stranger! Following over two years of a courageous battle with esophageal cancer, Jim passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Jeri; his children, Laure Williams of Yankton, South Dakota, Kay Slocum of Norfolk, Nebraska, Scott (Gail) Trantina of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Danny Trantina of Yankton, South Dakota; his stepchildren, Lonnie (Jodene) Woock of Spencer, Iowa, Wendy (Mark) Hamilton of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kristi (Tim) Zahn of Webster City, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a sister, Leona Klinkner of Artison, South Dakota; and his beloved pet and friend OJ. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Kelly Trantina and Jay Trantina, and a granddaughter, Brooke Williams. Funeral Service 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2010 St. Cecelia's Catholic Church Officiating ~ Father Tim Hogan Special Music "Go Rest High on the Mountain" (Vince Gill) "The Prayer" (Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion) "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone" (Chris Tomlin) "I Will Rise" (Chris Tomlin) Pallbearers Lonnie Woock Mark Hamilton Tim Zahn Adam Hamilton Alex Hamilton John Ingledue Honorary Pallbearers Friends Myron Klaassen Russ Gillespie Don Wackerbarth Grandchildren Jamie Woock Lindsey Woock Jesse Woock Lucas Woock Kaylee Schnathorst Taylor Schnathorst Ty Schnathorst Isaiah Ingledue Alicia Schumaker Brooke Williams Lindsay Slocum Philip Slocum Drexton Trantina Interment Roseland Cemetery Military graveside rites conducted by Earl T. Conaway Post #318 Sanborn, Iowa