James W Cleverley, Jr.

James “Jim” W. Cleverley, Jr., 67, of rural Newton died on Friday January 27, 2023, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends after the service with a lunch at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name (checks made payable to Alex Cleverley) may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. 

Jim, the son of James and Ruth (Wedekin) Cleverley, Sr., was born on October 12, 1955 in Newton. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in the Class of 1973. He then attended Central College from 1973-1977. After receiving his degree from Central, Jim went to Drake Law School. While in school he was a member of the Phi Delta Tau fraternity. Jim returned to Newton to practice law. He was a part of the Diehl, Clayton, and Cleverley Law Office and then the Johnson and Cleverley Law Office. For a short time, he also had his own firm, the Cleverley Law Office. He ended his law career as the Assistant Jasper County Attorney, retiring in 2014. Jim was a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and also served his community as a Magistrate Judge. 

On October 4, 1991, Jim was united in marriage with Wendy Wearmouth at Jim’s parent’s home in Newton. Jim and Wendy welcomed a daughter, Alexandra, who was the light of Jim’s life.  Alex’s interest in horses required a move to an acreage outside of Newton. Jim loved “farm life” and taking care of all the animals. He also was incredibly handy and could build and remodel anything.  Growing up Alex and Wendy’s girls, Traci and Lindsay, enjoyed going cruising in Jim’s truck, sometimes with side adventures to chase a fire truck or ambulance. More recently, Jim and Alex formed Cleverley POAS, a business that allows Alex to continue working with the ponies that they love.  Jim was also a loving grandpa and enjoyed entertaining all of his grandchildren.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Jim is survived by his wife, Wendy Cleverley of Newton; daughters, Alexandra Cleverley, Traci Schutty, and Lindsay (Richard) Hammons, all of Newton; grandchildren, Reese and Leileigh Hammons and David, Sidney, and Stella Wickett; his sister, Linda (Dennis) Harrelson of Newton; nephews, Toby (Donna) Harrelson, Zach Harrelson, and Joe (Stephanie) Hartgers; and his uncle, Jan Wedekin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his maternal and paternal grandparents. 

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