JAMES R. NIX

James Robert Nix, age 75, of Columbia City, Ind., died on Sunday, May 15, 2011 unexpectedly at his residence.Born on May 7, 1936, he was the son of the late Leo and Magdalene Nix.

Born in Fort Wayne, he moved with his family to the Tri-Lakes area as a child and resided in Whitley County for the majority of his life.He graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1954.He then enlisted in the US Navy from 1958-1962 serving on board the USS Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crises.In April of 2005 he married Elizabeth Ann Erickson in Springfield, Ohio.He worked at International Harvester/Navistar for 35 years, retiring in 2004. He moved to Springfield, Ohio for 15 years while working for Navistar.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ann Nix of Columbia City; son, Doug (Betty) Nix of Columbia City; step-sons, Steven (Monica) Grawcock of Grimsley, Tenn., John Grawcock of Warsaw, Ind., Ernest (Vickie) Grawcock of Fort Wayne; sisters, Patricia (James) Hardesty of Coldwater, Mich., Cheryl Harbor of Indianapolis, Ind.; sister-in-law, Joan Nix of Fort Wayne; 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dorman and Donald Nix and sister, Mary Warner.

At Mr. Nix's request there will be no visitation or funeral services.Burial will be private.Memorials in memory of Mr. Nix may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825.Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, Columbia City, Ind.