Jim was born in Lincolnville, Ind., and spent his earlier years as a farm boy, working on the family farm until he attended Muncie Business College. He was drafted into the United States Navy and served from February 1943 until January 1946. He was a well-decorated sailor whose travels took him to England, Italy, France, North Africa, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan during World War II. Much of his time was spent on the #22 L.S.T. boat, Harry S. Truman, where he was a paymaster for ship crews and the dispenser store keeper for the finance department.
During his time in the Navy, he married the girl of his dreams, Hazel Garner, from Spiceland. They were married 59 years and raised three children, Amy (John) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., James R. "Dick" (Pam) Whitcraft Jr., Cassopolis, Mich., and Anne (George) Garrett, Indianapolis.
He was a graduate of LaFountaine High School, Muncie Business College, and spent most of his working life as an accountant for Spencer Cardinal and General Tire and Rubber Co. in Marion. He was a former member of Grace United Methodist Church, a member of First Christian Church, and a 50 year member and Past Master of McCullough Masonic Lodge #737 F&AM.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brad Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, Brett (Michelle) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tara (Steve) Taggart, Westfield, Amy (Dylan) Nichols, Brownsburg, Christopher Whitcraft, Cassopolis, MI, and Kelle Whitcraft, Elkhart, IN,; five great-grandchildren; and one younger brother, Charles Whitcraft, North Ft. Meyers, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, three sisters, and one brother.
During his time in the Navy, he married the girl of his dreams, Hazel Garner, from Spiceland. They were married 59 years and raised three children, Amy (John) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., James R. "Dick" (Pam) Whitcraft Jr., Cassopolis, Mich., and Anne (George) Garrett, Indianapolis.
He was a graduate of LaFountaine High School, Muncie Business College, and spent most of his working life as an accountant for Spencer Cardinal and General Tire and Rubber Co. in Marion. He was a former member of Grace United Methodist Church, a member of First Christian Church, and a 50 year member and Past Master of McCullough Masonic Lodge #737 F&AM.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brad Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, Brett (Michelle) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tara (Steve) Taggart, Westfield, Amy (Dylan) Nichols, Brownsburg, Christopher Whitcraft, Cassopolis, MI, and Kelle Whitcraft, Elkhart, IN,; five great-grandchildren; and one younger brother, Charles Whitcraft, North Ft. Meyers, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, three sisters, and one brother.
Jim was born in Lincolnville, Ind., and spent his earlier years as a farm boy, working on the family farm until he attended Muncie Business College. He was drafted into the United States Navy and served from February 1943 until January 1946. He was a well-decorated sailor whose travels took him to England, Italy, France, North Africa, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan during World War II. Much of his time was spent on the #22 L.S.T. boat, Harry S. Truman, where he was a paymaster for ship crews and the dispenser store keeper for the finance department.
During his time in the Navy, he married the girl of his dreams, Hazel Garner, from Spiceland. They were married 59 years and raised three children, Amy (John) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., James R. "Dick" (Pam) Whitcraft Jr., Cassopolis, Mich., and Anne (George) Garrett, Indianapolis.
He was a graduate of LaFountaine High School, Muncie Business College, and spent most of his working life as an accountant for Spencer Cardinal and General Tire and Rubber Co. in Marion. He was a former member of Grace United Methodist Church, a member of First Christian Church, and a 50 year member and Past Master of McCullough Masonic Lodge #737 F&AM.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brad Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, Brett (Michelle) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tara (Steve) Taggart, Westfield, Amy (Dylan) Nichols, Brownsburg, Christopher Whitcraft, Cassopolis, MI, and Kelle Whitcraft, Elkhart, IN,; five great-grandchildren; and one younger brother, Charles Whitcraft, North Ft. Meyers, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, three sisters, and one brother.
During his time in the Navy, he married the girl of his dreams, Hazel Garner, from Spiceland. They were married 59 years and raised three children, Amy (John) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., James R. "Dick" (Pam) Whitcraft Jr., Cassopolis, Mich., and Anne (George) Garrett, Indianapolis.
He was a graduate of LaFountaine High School, Muncie Business College, and spent most of his working life as an accountant for Spencer Cardinal and General Tire and Rubber Co. in Marion. He was a former member of Grace United Methodist Church, a member of First Christian Church, and a 50 year member and Past Master of McCullough Masonic Lodge #737 F&AM.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brad Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, Brett (Michelle) Anderson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tara (Steve) Taggart, Westfield, Amy (Dylan) Nichols, Brownsburg, Christopher Whitcraft, Cassopolis, MI, and Kelle Whitcraft, Elkhart, IN,; five great-grandchildren; and one younger brother, Charles Whitcraft, North Ft. Meyers, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, three sisters, and one brother.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
