James M. Tanking, 26, of Sabetha, Kansas, formerly of Wetmore, died Friday February 5, 1988, at the Sabetha Manor in Sabetha. He had been a resident at the Sabetha Group Home until complications with congenital heart problems made nursing home care necessary.

He was born on February 14, 1961, in Holton, the son of Lawrence and Cecilia Peppersack Tanking. The family lived on a farm west of Netawaka. Jim attended Holton Special Education classes and graduated from Jackson Heights High School in 1982. The family moved to Wetmore in 1982.

Jim later became a resident of Sabetha, where he lived in the group home and was employed by the Nemaha County Training Center. He enjoyed life at the group home, where he and his brother Richard, both lived.

He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore and attended church at Sacred Heart Church in Sabetha. Jim was devoted to his church. He was loving, outgoing person who loved to dance and enjoyed bowling. He lived each day looking forward to going to the workshop he loved.

Survivors are his parents Lawrence and Cecilia of Wetmore; six brothers, Donald (Barbara) Tanking of Topeka, Larry (Alberta) Tanking of Holton, Gerald (Denise) Tanking of St. Marys, Kenneth (Louise) Tanking of Netawaka, Randall (Alice) Tanking of Wetmore and Richard Tanking of Sabetha; two sisters, Mary Lou (John) Cheray of Topeka and Berneta (Dean) Shults of Topeka; aunts and uncles; and 27 nieces and nephews.

Rosaries were prayed on Saturday and Sunday evenings, February 6 & 7, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, February 8, by Fr. Alfred Koestener, OSB at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore. The servers were Marc Tanking, Casey and Jim Bloom. The lector was David Cheray and the gift bearers were Shelly Tanking, Audra Tanking, Alicia Tanking, Luke Tanking, Joshua Tanking and Macy Tanking.

Carrying James to his resting place in the Wetmore Cemetery were pallbearers Tony Tanking, Greg Tanking, Faron Shults, Darren Shults, Stephen Cheray and Andy Tanking.

Memorials may be given in James’ memory for the Sabetha Nemaha County Training Center, and sent in care of the family.