Obituary: James Slavens

Posted

Memorial services to celebrate the life of James E. Slavens, 77, of Bettendorf were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady St., Davenport. Private family inurnment was in St. Paul Lutheran’s Memorial Garden.  Visitation was 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., downtown, Davenport. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House Endowment, or Rotary International.

Jim died Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, surrounded by his family.

James Earl Slavens was born on June 15, 1942, in Kewanee, Ill., a son of Joe and Vesta (Hickman) Slavens.  He was a graduate of Bettendorf High School, University of Iowa earning a degree in economics, University of Iowa Law School with a juris doctorate, the National Trust School, Northwestern and The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.

Jim had a long business career starting as a lawyer in partnership with his brother Bob in Davenport, later he and Bob moved on to banking and spent the majority of their careers working together to build Northwest Bank and Trust Co. in addition to land development. After retiring from banking Jim focused on the law helping people through his mediation practice and business brokerage. Jim also loved to help people in their business endeavors and volunteered his time mentoring.

He had been previously married to Judith Ollar. He was then united in marriage to Cheri Treiber July 10, 1993. 

Jim was an avid boater, he loved to spend time on the water starting at a young age while fishing with family in Canada and continuing throughout his life.  He loved to entertain people on his boat during the summers on the Mississippi. Curiosity and the sense of adventure kept Jim active with meeting and talking to people whether on his boat, walking with friends or while traveling the world. More than anything he enjoyed traveling with his wife Cheri, lunches with his sons, cheering on his grandchildren and his group of friends affectionately referred to as “the Good Ol’ Boys.”

Jim will be remembered by his contagious smile, hard work, adventurous spirit, generosity with his time and his love of family.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran, a lifelong member of Bettendorf Rotary, Lindsay Park Yacht Club and past president of The Outing Club.

Survivors include his wife Cheri and his children, John (Maria) Slavens, Chanhassen, Minn., Matt (Amanda) Slavens, Davenport, Sam (Chris) Slavens, Bettendorf and step-children, Brad (Liz) Treiber, Bettendorf, Jill (Mike) Postel, Erie, Colo., and Brett (Shannon) Treiber, Muscatine; 15 grandchildren: his sister-in-law, Muriel Slavens, nephew Joe (Ann) Slavens, Bettendorf, niece Jane (Chris) Flesher, his aunt, Wanda Smith, Bettendorf, and cousins, Marylou Coon, David Smith, and Linda Weatherly, Bettendorf

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Colin Slavens and Sara Slavens, and his brother, Bob Slavens.

Online remembrances may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

 

Custom obituary

James Slavens, Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, obituary

Comments