James Leo Biel

James Leo (Jim) Biel, age 79, passed away Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. Jim was born to Albert Biel Sr. and Ida Kreutzer at the original Biel homestead on, April 11, 1937 in Wichita County, Kansas. Following graduation from Wichita County High School in 1955, he was a farmer/rancher in Wichita County. Jim enjoyed fishing with his buddies and grandkids, telling family stories and playing a good game of pitch. He also made the commitment to rise early, put in a hard day's work and use every chance along the way to instill a strong worth ethic and good family values in his five children. Jim was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both in Leoti, Kansas. On November 22, 1958 he married Judith Ann Renner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas. They were married for 45 years. Judy passed away February 25, 2004 in Leoti, Kansas. On March 11, 2005, he married Bennie Turner, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas. Jim and Bennie spent most of their married life in Kerrville, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Bennie Biel. Jim's surviving family includes: His wife - Bennie Biel – Kerrville, Texas Five children - Renee & Myron Geyer - Leoti, Kansas Kelley and Christine Biel - Lenexa, Kansas Phillip Biel – Phoenix, Arizona Nichole & Bill Kelley – Kingman, Kansas Camille Biel Wiens – Grand Island, Nebraska 3 step-daughters - Tammy and Jay Schlereth Cass and Scott Mastel, Nancy Lacy 18 Grandchildren - Cara Geyer – Ulysses, Kansas Matt and Sara Geyer – Atlanta, Georgia Jordan and Amy Geyer – Leoti, Kansas Grant and Landi Geyer – Garden City, Kansas Cody Geyer – Garden City, Kansas Jordan and Brittney Biel – Lenexa, Kansas Brooklyn, Aniston, Hayden and Grason – Phoenix, Arizona Jordan Dooley – San Diego, California Paige and Carlie Kelley – Kingman, KS Spencer, Casey, Jessica and Brett Wiens – Grand Island, Nebraska 11 Step-Grandchildren 7 Great Grandchildren 14 Step-Great Grandchildren Four siblings - Albert & Johanna Biel, Jr.- Leoti, Kansas, Eugene and Billie Biel – Leoti, Kansas, Marguerite Berning – Marienthal, Kansas, Kathy & Edwin Berning – Leoti, Kansas His parents Albert Sr. and Ida; his wife of forty-five years Judy; his sister Doris Mayer, and brother-in-laws Charles Mayer and Eugene Berning preceded him in death. Vigil services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas with Father Chris Renner, (nephew of Jim) and Father Benjamin Martin officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the Jim and Judy Biel Memorial Scholarship or the Wichita County Health Center in care of the funeral home.