James L. “Jim” Peachey, 91, of Spring Mills, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021. Born on December 9, 1929, in Belleville, he was the son of Harvey L. and Anna L. (Hartzler) Peachey.
He is survived by his children Cedric H. Peachey (Sara) of Columbia, TN; Bryan J. Peachey and Ellen S. Peachey (Ken Lawrence Burg) of Spring Mills, PA; Donna J. Peachey of Colorado Springs, CO; their mother, Iris J. (Yoder) Peachey; grandson Matthew R. Peachey (Katie) and great-grandson Reed Peachey of Murfreesboro, TN.
Jim is also survived by three sisters: Lois Yoder of Harrisonburg, VA; Jane Diffenderfer of Reedsville; and Helen Yoder (Floyd) of Reedsville; and three sisters-in-law, Deloris Peachey of Belleville; Lois Peachey of Pipersville; and Janice Peachey of Burnham.
Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by three brothers, Harvey Peachey Jr., Solomon Peachey, and Loren Peachey; and by two sisters, Patricia Zook and Joanne Kauffman.
Raised in the Allensville Mennonite Church, he most recently attended University Mennonite Church in State College.
Jim spent his early years working at his father’s side on the farm and in the family meat business. He was a 1947 graduate of Belleville High School, and later earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce from Goshen College in 1956. He moved to Chicago to perform alternative service at Evanston Hospital, then lived in the Midwest working for Allied Mills.
Returning to Pennsylvania in 1968, he worked for D.K. Hostetler Inc. and Tri-Valley Builders, then became an independent builder of homes. He hit his vocational stride later in life with a career in real estate and property appraisal. He worked for Phil Gingerich Real Estate, then opened his own brokerage, James L. Peachey Real Estate, appraising mostly farms and commercial properties. In 1998 he was employed by Interstate Acquisitions Service and retired in 2012.
Never one to be still in mind or body, he had many interests. He loved ski trips to Colorado, family apple butter boils, working on home improvement projects with his children, road trips, reading, and ice cream. He was passionate about family history and enjoyed sharing stories and guiding tours of Big Valley that included photos, maps, and charts. He also enjoyed sharing perspectives on life, faith, and current events.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services will be held on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500 or online at https://donate.mcc.org/
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc., 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.