James Howard Dolven (Jim or Big Jim), 76, of Ellsworth, Kansas, passed away Monday , June 6, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth. Jim was born September 7, 1945, in Decatur, Illinois. He was one of six children born to Clemens and Mollie (Wrench) Dolven. At a young age his family moved to Shelby, Montana, and he graduated from Shelby High School. During this time, he was very active in the Boy Scouts and developed his love of reading.
Jim served his country in the U.S Air Force from July, 1963 to June, 1979 and left the service with the last rank of Technical Sergeant. During his time in uniform, he served in the Vietnam War and received a commendation. While in the military Jim was united in marriage to Carrie Lorena Oswald on January 28, 1967, at Sacred Heart Church in Emmeram, Kansas. This union was blessed with three children: Mable, Sean, and Ian. After moving to many locations across the United States and overseas he retired to Paradise, Kansas, where they lived for almost 20 years. After his service, he worked in the oil field for about 15 years and then did computer work for about 9 years. He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, Kansas. In his spare time he enjoyed tinkering on old computers, reading, and spending time with his family and friends.
Jim’s surviving family includes his wife, Carrie Dolven of Ellsworth, Kansas; daughter, Mable Walker (Larry) of Ellsworth, Kansas; sons, Sean Dolven of Camdenton, Missouri, and Ian Dolven of Lawrenceville, Georgia; five sisters, Petra Dennis of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Patti Baker (Dennis) of Tuolumne, California; Peggy Contreraz (Billy) of Billings, Montana; Terry Holman (Jerry) of Thomasboro, Illinois, and Kathy Scheet of Rushville, Illinois; granddaughter, Brittni Leiker (Jamie) and great grandson, Michael Dawson.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Emmeram Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00am to 8:00pm Monday, June 13, 2022, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements. Family requests donations to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in lieu of flowers.