Final Salute

Jim Saylor, 83, of Sheffield, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 9, at First United Methodist Church in Sheffield, with burial at Hillside Cemetery; visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to the service. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton.

James Bruce Saylor was born October 19, 1941, in Trivoli, IL, to Blaine and Marjorie (Whitney) Saylor. He graduated from Mason City High School and immediately entered the United States Navy. While stationed in Virginia Beach, VA, he met Janice Grace Meyer on a blind date, and the two were married on December 9, 1967, at Vailsburg United Methodist Church in Jan’s hometown of Newark, NJ. After Jim served in Vietnam, he and Jan returned to Iowa and made Sheffield their home for the next 50 years. Their first son, Dale, was born in 1973, and their second son, Donn, was born in 1977.

Jim owned and operated Saylor’s Plumbing & Heating for many years before going to work for other plumbing/HVAC providers in the area; he retired from Tjarks Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Iowa Falls. He was an active Sheffield community member, serving multiple terms as both a city councilman and mayor. He was a Navy veteran, a Navy Reservist, and a proud Seabee. He was also a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. Jim had a lifelong love of cars—especially Fords—and restored several classics over the years. After retirement, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, collecting license plates, and having daily coffee with the guys at his shop. And his dog Otis was never far from his side.

Survivors include his son Donn Saylor of Sheffield; son Dale (Joe Williamson) and grandsons Henry and Oliver of North Chatham, NY; sister and brother-in-law Cindy and Chuck Johnson of Sheffield; sister Jennifer Saylor of Shakopee, MN; and beloved dog Otis Saylor of Sheffield.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Jan; his sister and brother-in-law Patti and Dennis Mulford; his parents Blaine and Marjorie Saylor; and his treasured dog Rupert.

Jim’s family would like to send their deepest gratitude to Pastor Wendy Johannesen, the cardiopulmonary rehab crew at Franklin General Hospital, and the exceptional 6-west care team at MercyOne North Iowa for the loving care and support they provided for Jim.