James "Jim" McElhany

James “Jim” McElhany, age 84, of Castlewood, SD, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 8, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones after a short battle with Mesothelioma.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Pastor Cam McElhany will officiate.  Music will be provided by Neal, Cullen, Sully and Cooper Mack.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Burial will be at Castlewood Cemetery at a later time. Urn bearers will be Blake Karp, Cullen, Sully, and Cooper Mack and Ben McElhany.

Jim was born on November 22, 1938, in Watertown, SD, to Paul and Ellene (Wait) McElhany. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1956 and ventured to California where he learned the drywall contracting trade.

On June 12, 1967, Jim married his “girlfriend” Joan Pommer where they built their home and family near Castlewood.  Jim farmed and owned a dry wall contracting business.  He was active in the no-til farming and started South Dakota’s first tire recycling business, South Dakota Waste Recycling.  Jim was a good dancer and was known for his building and mechanical mind.  He shared his love of motorcycles and road bike adventures with friends and family.  If you ever asked him how he was, he would respond, “fat and sassy.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Joan of Castlewood, SD; two daughters: JoLynn (Terry) Sutton and their children, Jason (Jennifer), Jerrod (Brooke) and Jessica Sutton; Terri (Neal) Mack and their children, Jenni (Blake) Karp, Cullen (Katie), Sully and Cooper Mack; two sons: Tim (Roxie) McElhany and their children, Ashley and Daniel McElhany, Todd (Nicky Proctor) McElhany and his son, Ben McElhany; three brothers: Paul McElhany, Dale (Donna) McElhany,  and Dave (Charlotte) McElhany; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his two sons, Dan and Bob; his parents; and his grandparents.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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