JAMES "JIM" LEROY SHELMADINE

James "Jim" Leroy Shelmadine Sr., age 72, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away Sunday, October 24, 2010 in Lawton, OK. Born August 14, 1938 in Columbia City, IN he was the son of Ray and Ruth (Underwood) Shelmadine.

He entered service with the United States Marine Corps August 31, 1955 at Fort Wayne, IN and was honorably discharged August 28, 1959 at Patuxent River, MD.Jim traveled Thailand, Japan and other countries as a cross country prisoner chaser.He then transferred to the Ninth Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District.Jim received the Good Conduct Medal.

On September 16, 1958 he married Janelle Pocowatchit in Lexington Park, MD. Jim enjoyed working in the yard, landscaping, spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.Jim loved to spend his time with kids, old folks and animals. In his younger years, he had all kinds of critters including raccoons, horses, his dogs, raising cattle and pigs.

Survivors include his wife, Janelle Shelmadine of Fort Wayne; 2 sons and their spouses, Jim (Ruth) Shelmadine, Jr. of Arcola and Scott (Samantha Birk) Shelmadine of Columbia City; 5 grandchildren, Haley Shelmadine, Nakaia Coburn, Jeremy Shelmadine, Leslie Brooke Shelmadine and Charleann Ratkowski; 2 sisters, Willodene Saner of Silver Lake and Connie Miller of Springfield, OH; 3 brothers, Ray Shelmadine of Mexico, IN, Richard Shelmadine of Fort Wayne and Ron Shelmadine of Columbia City.In addition to his parents, Ray and Ruth Shelmadine, he was preceded in death by a son, Todd Shelmadine, mother-in-law, May Cable, sisters, Joann, Alice, Fern, and Faye, brother, Max.

Visitation is Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 2-5 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service is Monday, November 1, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Curtiss Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Nolt Cemetery, Columbia City.