James H. Piland, 91, of Waldo, Kansas, died on August 20, 2015, at the Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

James was born in Waldo, Kansas on September 12, 1923, the son of Elmer and Bessie (Burgar) Piland.  He graduated from Waldo High School in 1941 and moved to California to build airplanes to aid in the war effort during World War II.  He returned to Waldo after the war and went on to be a farmer and rancher.  He met, fell in love with and was united in marriage to Jean E. (May) Piland on June 09, 1960, in Luray, Kansas.  James and Jean raised 3 children from a previous marriage, Bill, Shirley and Karen Lahar.  Later in life he became the Post Master of the Waldo Post Office and retired from there after many years of service.  He also enjoyed farming and ranching and spent countless hours tending to his cattle and managing the farm.  James was an active member of the Waldo United Methodist Church.  He was also a former member of the Waldo Fire Department and served as a Waldo city council member and Mayor of Waldo for several terms.  James and Jean were avid conservationists and bird enthusiasts.  Together they constructed and placed hundreds of bird houses on their farm and throughout Russell County.  He also enjoyed Royals baseball, flower gardening, building bird houses, animals, computers and his beloved cat AFLAC.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.  After 45 years of marriage, Jean preceded James in death on January 29, 2006. 

James is survived by his son Bill Lahar and wife Barbara of Douglass, Kansas; daughter Karen Carney and husband Jim of Hoisington, Kansas; 8 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life - Jean, step daughter Shirley Harrington, 1 brother and 3 sisters.

A memorial service to celebrate James' life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at the Waldo United Methodist Church in Waldo, Kansas with Pastor Scott Tempero officiating.  Cremation has preceded the service and there will be no visitation.  In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be given to the Waldo United Methodist Church or the Waldo Senior Center and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.