James Bruce Ilten

James Bruce (Jim) Ilten was born in Huntington Park, California on November 13, 1946, to Bruce Herbert and Willeen Smith Ilten. He passed away of a cancer metastasis on June 24, 2024, in Maricopa County, Arizona. Jim had lived and worked in Southern California before moving in 2010 to the active adult retirement community of Robson Ranch in Eloy, Arizona.

After graduating from Ramona High School in Riverside, CA in 1964, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served honorably in Puerto Rico and Vietnam before being discharged from duty with the rank of Sergeant (E-5) in April 1970.

After he returned to civilian life, Jim joined the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), later renamed the Barbershop Harmony Society. He participated for many years with the Whittier Choral airers chorus and Orange Empire chorus in California and sang baritone in the Far Western District championship quartet of 1979, the Gentlemen Songsters. Jim supported his hobby in numerous capacities through the years, including show director more than once and chapter president in 1999 and 2000. He proudly accepted his 50-year member pin from the Society in 2020.

Jim was a member and head elder at Christ Lutheran Church in Brea, CA and was an active participant in the Cursillo movement for many years. Jim’s working career centered primarily around purchasing and sales, where his outgoing personality made him a natural. He retired in April 2010 from Nelson Name Plate Company with 24 years of service and moved with his wife, Carol, to Robson Ranch, where he played lots of golf and enjoyed numerous other activities. He was an active member of Rock Springs Church, where he served on the media team, ushered, and participated in a weekly Journey Group.

One of Jim’s favorite retirement activities was traveling, particularly cruising. One year he was able to trace his family heritage back to Ilten, Germany, a small village outside of Hannover, and search for distant relatives. He enjoyed connecting with other Iltens around the world through Facebook and figuring out how they were related to him. In recent years, Jim was plagued with various health issues, specifically COPD and cancer, which led to his latest hospitalization. He was in rehab for strength training when he contracted pneumonia and suffered cardiac arrest.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol Mobley Ilten; sons Stephen (Eve), Scott (Ginny), Shaun, and Sam Ilten (Kathryn); stepdaughter Janet Jones; sisters Ginny Hardesty and Kathy Durham (Bob); 15 grandchildren; one great grandchild; three nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Chris.

The people in Jim Ilten’s life were drawn to him through interests, friendship, and laughter. He was a gentle, gregarious, God-fearing man who was secure in his salvation, and thanks to God’s grace, he is resting now, free from pain, and rejoicing in heaven. Jim’s remains will be inurned in one of the National Cemeteries at a later date. Smart Cremation is responsible for the final arrangements. Any donations made in Jim’s honor may be directed to the Tunnel to Towers organization or Samaritan’s Purse.