James (Jim) Roy Studebaker, 66, of Holton, passed away peacefully March 25, 2012, at Holton Community Hospital with great dignity after a long battle with cancer, made possible by the loving help of friends, family, Dr. Joel Hutchins, Henrietta and Donna from Holton Hospice, and the nurses at the hospital.


Jim was born July 2, 1945, in Pratt Kansas, the son of Paul James and Eleanor Manchester Studebaker. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1963, and then attended Washburn University where he studied engineering. He also attended the ROTC at Washburn. He has happily been a part of the Holton community for 31 years. Jim worked for 22 years at the Santa Fe Railroad offices and for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 21 ½ years as an Engineering Technician Specialist where he then retired in December 2009.


Jim was a 32º Mason of Masonic Lodge #393 in Mayetta, where he had held offices. He was also a member of Eastern Star #383 in Mayetta, and a past member of the Topeka Arab Shrine. Jim was a member of the Topeka Bible Church, the Evangel United Methodist Church of Holton and the Seekers Sunday School class, which he enjoyed so much. Jim was an avid fisherman and loved spending his time out on his boat with many of his friends and family in tow. Jim loved telling stories and was well known in our community for his humor and his laugh. He took wonderful care of his wife and will be greatly missed by her, their family and his many friends.


Jim was married to his loving wife Sandra Murphy, on February 25, 1981 in Miami, OK. Jim was preceded in death by his father, a sister Shirley Brubaker and brother-in-law Roy Haynes.


Jim is survived by his wife Sandy, of the home; mother, Eleanor Studebaker, Topeka; their sons, David (Jamie) Studebaker, Burlingame, Bradley Studebaker, Carbondale, and Mike Mitchell, Topeka; daughters, Raylene (Larry) Wallace, Susan Minner, and Shari (Galen) Monaghan, all of Holton; his sister, Marilyn Haynes of Topeka; brothers, John (Kathy) Studebaker, Auburn, Gary (Irene) Studebaker, Topeka and brother-in-law Steve (Sylvia) Murphy, Council Grove. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren, Garrett Studebaker, Alexis Studebaker, Kaylsey Wallace, Ashleigh Wallace, Desiree (Mike) Taliaferro, Allie (Brett) Summers, Stephanie (Aaron Monhollon) Minner, Miranda Minner, Garrett Minner and 4 great-grandchildren Madison and Keegan Taliaferro and Olivia and Emma Summers. He also has many nieces and nephews along with their families that will miss him greatly.


A celebration of Jim's life will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in Holton Cemetery. He will lie in state at the funeral home where the family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials may be given to the Evangel United Methodist Church or Holton Community Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.