Jim was a 1960 graduate of Wabash High School. He married Mary Jane Long in Bunker Hill, Indiana on April 20, 1964; she died February 11, 2009. He served in the US Air Force from 1963-67, being stationed in Thailand and at Selfridge ANGB in Michigan. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He retired from Wabash Alloys, where he was the Director of Maintenance. He enjoyed restoring old vehicles.
He is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Mike) Williams of Wabash; four grandchildren, Kelly (Christopher) Klement of Wabash, Aaron Benge of Killeen, Texas, Emily (Dane Gohring) Williams of Wabash, and Erin (E.J. Devarie) Williams of Indianapolis, Indiana, two great-grandchildren, Mason Randall Klement and Evelyn Mae Gohring, both of Wabash, two brothers, Larry (Faye) Starbuck of Greenwood, Indiana, and Dennis Starbuck of Wabash, sister, Patricia Starbuck of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and his special friend, Sandy Smith of Fort Wayne . He was also preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Melissa Kelly Starbuck, and grandson, Matthew Williams.
Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2019, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. Burial will be in Roann Community Cemetery, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the preferred memorial is the Wabash County Historical Museum.
The memorial guest book for Jim may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.