Jim was born October 19, 1952 to LaMonte and Alice (Stude) Widner in Newton, New Jersey. He and his family moved to western Kansas and eventually on to El Dorado Springs, MO, where he graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1970. He met and married the love of his life, Sherry Essenpries, on August 23, 1975, and together they had two children, Dustin and Logan Widner. Jim worked a variety of jobs but was best known for hanging gutters and ran his own business for many years in the area. When he was not working, he loved to spend his free time hunting and fishing. Jim also had a love for spending time bowling and golf when he had the chance. In his later years, he became the primary caretaker for his wife, Sherry, as she battled health issues.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Widner; his parents; his brother, Danny Widner; and sister, Jeannie Orth. He is survived by his sons: Dustin (Lauren) Widner of Papillion, NE; and Logan (Lisa) Widner of Adrian, MO; grandchildren: Carter, Grace, Jaxson, and Brynn Widner; and sister, Roselynn Armstrong of LaCygne, KS.
