James Francis Schmidtberger, 55, of Russell, Kansas sadly left us August 2, 2022. He passed away at his home. James was born September 14, 1966, in Hill City, the son of Dan and Mary (Leiker) Schmidtberger. He was their youngest child, joining his older sisters Jeanne and Judy and older brother D.J. He attended grade, junior high and high school in Hill City. Throughout his school years he was very active in golf, football, wrestling, quiz bowl, and CYO. James graduated from Hill City High School in 1985. His high school buddies remained lifelong friends who remember him as a fun-loving guy, often with a huge smile on his face. James was an avid sports fan. He relished watching and rooting for the KU Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He was elated that he saw the Jayhawks win two NCAA basketball titles. Witnessing a Royals World Series win and a Chiefs Super Bowl win in his lifetime were great thrills, too. James loved participating in golf with his buddies and family. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews, teaching them all the shenanigans that their parents never would. James was preceded in death by his mother Mary Ellen (Leiker) Schmidtberger, his stepsister Tracey Engel, and his brother D.J. Schmidtberger. He is survived by his father, Dan Schmidtberger, Sr. and stepmother, Donna Schmidtberger of Hill City; his siblings, Jeanne and John Lubbers of Theodosia, Missouri and Judy Mitchell of Salina; his stepsisters, Stephanie and Francis Jacobs of Hays and Melanie and Cameron Archer of Norton; his stepbrother, Matt and Marti Engel of Oakley; nieces and nephews, John Jr. and Sheri Lubbers, Joni and Shannon Train, Kellie and Chris Mirkes, Lacy and Dustin Seib, Lindsay and Bo Pfannenstiel, Chelsea and Casey Dole, Landon and Ashley Hamel, Haileigh Jacobs, Hunter Jacobs, Jace Engel, and Jantz Engel, along with eighteen great-nieces and great-nephews.