James Wilton McCorkindale

James McCorkindale, age 86 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, NE.

Private Family services will be held at a later date. His cremated remains will be buried at the Laurel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel. Cards may be sent to Jim’s farm near Laurel.

James “Jim” Wilton McCorkindale was born November 6, 1938 in Emerson, Nebraska to Fay Wilton and Norma (Owens) McCorkindale. Jim grew up on a farm north of Laurel learning to work the land and raising livestock with his father and brothers. He attended Rural District 52 Meadow Grove country school and then Laurel Public School, graduating in May of 1956. Jim married Mary Rae McCoy in November of 1960 and to that union they had three daughters Susie, Sandy, and Sherri. Jim and Mary Rae lived and worked on their farm north of Laurel for many decades. Jim loved farming and enjoyed his livestock more than anything. His favorite pastime was driving around the section by his home and watching the cattle grazing on the pastures. Jim also loved his farm cats and enjoyed feeding them twice a day as well as petting them any chance he got. He was never afraid to put in long hours putting up hay or working the land and would always help a neighbor who needed a hand.

 Jim is survived by his daughters and spouses Sandy McCorkindale and Dave Warneke of Lincoln, Sherri (Jason) Korte of Clive, Iowa; four grandchildren Mitch Lanser of Laurel, Hailey Clevenger of Quincy, Massachusetts, Sydney and Kaci Clevenger of Clive, Iowa. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Rae, his parents, Fay Wilton and Norma, brother’s Dick, John, and Bob McCorkindale; daughter Susie and son-in-law Randy Lanser.