James E. "Jim" Reschly, age 85, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, September 13, 2013, at Halcyon House in Washington after a short illness.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Visitation will begin 12:00 p.m. Monday, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Private family interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Jim's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com . Cremation rites have been accorded.

Jim was born March 5, 1928, in Henry County, south of Wayland, Iowa, the son of Joseph Nebel and Anna (Hunt) Reschly. He graduated from Wayland High School in 1945. Jim was united in marriage to Helen Wilcox on March 11, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Washington, Iowa.

Jim worked in construction and carpentry for most of his life mostly with his uncles and later with his dad doing business as Independent Builders/ J. N. Reschly and Sons. He was a self-taught draftsman and worked as a Draftsman for Wilson Concrete. He was the head of Public Works in Washington for thirteen years.

Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed and spent many hours woodworking and refinishing old furniture. Jim enjoyed making wooden mice, and especially enjoyed giving them as gifts. He enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid mushroom hunter.

He is survived by wife Helen Reschly of Washington, Iowa; sons: Mick Reschly and wife Ranee of Wayland, Iowa; Matt Reschly of Washington, Iowa; and Todd Reschly and Lisa Fowler of Washington, Iowa; daughters: Cyndie Lopshire and husband Bill of Riverside, Iowa; and Carrie Klopfenstein and husband Paul of Winfield, Iowa; Jennie Reschly of Ainsworth, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Lori and Jessica Reschly, Scott and Brian McFadden, Janine Miller, Katie Sorrell, Tristan Klopfenstein, Brant Reschly, and Elizabeth Reschly; nine great-grandchildren; sister Susan Gilmere of Washington, Iowa; brother-in-law Don Davis of Washington, Iowa; sister-in-law Sonja Reschly of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; sister-in-law Louise Richards and husband Dale of Washington, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Alice Davis, Cathy Fort, and infant sister Joanna Reschly; three brothers: Donald, Robert, and Richard Reschly; and grandson Justin Reschly.