James Roy Henry Kress, 54, of Wilton, died unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 22,2023, on his beloved farm. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at the Bentley Funeral Home in Wilton. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar County Historical Society or Trinity Church in Moscow. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.
His cremated remains will be scattered on his precious farm.
Jimmy was born in Davenport on Nov. 22, 1969, the son of Jacque Kaufmann Schweitzer and Roy H. Kress Jr. He was raised and later adopted by Bart Schweitzer Jr. Jim graduated from Wilton High School in 1988.
He retired from HON/Allsteel in January 2023 after 33 years of service. His greatest loves were his farm in Cedar County and Sugar Creek.
He loved his pets, nature, deer hunting, scrapping, antiquing and history. He was an avid caretaker of the Kaufmann family cemetery. He was a member of the Cedar County Historical Society and the NRA.
Jim was always willing to help a friend or neighbor in need. The word "No" was not in his vocabulary.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Jacque Schweitzer; his father, Roy "Junior" Kress; brother, Jeff “Andre” Kress all of Wilton; his longtime companion, Charity Harmon of Muscatine; and host of other cousins, neighbors and friends.
He was preceded in death by his adopted father, Bart Schweitzer Jr.; his grandparents and his great-uncle and namesake, Togo "Jim" Kaufmann.