James E. Sheik, 92, of Bern, KS, died on Saturday morning, July 2, 2011, at his home in Green Valley, AZ.

Jim was born on June 26, 1919 in Crab Orchard, NE, the son of James D. and Edna Waidely Sheik. He grew up in the Bern community and graduated from Bern High School in 1937. After high school he went to Lincoln School of Business at the University of Nebraska and then Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Jim was employed as a rural mail carrier from 1941 to 1943. In November 1943, he embarked upon his true calling as a banker and accepted employment with the State Bank of Bern. When World War II ended he left Bern and went to work for Citizens State Bank in Seneca from 1945 to 1948. In 1948, he returned to the State Bank of Bern, which he purchased in 1966. He served as President until semi-retirement in 1984, while continuing as Chairman of the Board of the State Bank of Bern and Axtell until 1999.

Jim belonged to many clubs and organizations in the area including the Bern Alumni Association, Lions Club, Elks Club, Arab Shrines, Nemaha County Catbackers, Seneca and Sabetha Golf Clubs, the Independent Bankers Association and Board of Trustees at Kansas State University. He received the title of Kansas State University Fan of the Year in 2007, and was a lifetime KSU season ticket holder. He was a sponsor and financier of many entrepreneurs in the Bern Community. Jim enjoyed golfing, hunting and gatherings and parties with family and friends.

Jim married Margie A. Koehler on January 13, 1944 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They enjoyed a wonderful life together for 67 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Edna Sheik; his brother, Dick Sheik; a granddaughter, Jennifer Rosengarten; and son-in-law, Mike Jensen.

He is survived by his wife Margie; his children, Alice Aiken of San Antonio, TX, Jeannie (Charles) Rosengarten of Green Valley, AZ, Linda (Larry) Raitt of Derby, Bill (Terry) Sheik of Bern, Julie Jensen of Mayetta and Cindy (Kent) Scott of Agency, MO; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchild; a sister, Edis Winchell of Axtell; the community of Bern, and many, many friends.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM, Friday, July 8, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. A service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, July 9, at the Bern Community Building and City Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at the Bern Community Building following the services. All friends and relatives are invited and encouraged to attend and celebrate Jim’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be left in Jim’s memory for the Bern Community Support Foundation, in care of the State Bank of Bern.