James R. "Jim" Spencer Sr., age 91, of Mishawaka, passed away at his residence on Thursday, May 19, 2011. Jim was born July 29, 1919 to the late Myron Paul and Hattie (Highley) Spencer in Sweetser, Indiana. On December 25, 1942, he married Mary Catherine Comer. She preceded him in death, passing away in 2009.
He is survived by three children; Susan (Richard) Erow of Chesterton, IN, Gary (Rhonda) Spencer of Michigan, and James R. (Jill) Spencer, Jr. of Osceola, six grandchildren, John (Lujean) Spencer, Tammi (Richard) Davidson, Katrina (Tom) Doty, Kenneth (Jamie) Erow, James R. (Kassie) Spencer, III, and Justin (Carrie) Spencer. Also surviving are his brothers Jay C. , Myron, and Eugene Spencer and 12 great grandchildren; Derek, Andy, and Hayli Doty, Kamden and Kody Betzer, Emily and Cassie Spencer, Baylee, Grace, and Griffin Davidson, and Kenneth and Reece Erow. Jim was preceded in death by one grandchild, Kevin Erow.
Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the 11:00 am funeral service on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Jim farmed in Swayzee, Indiana until 1959, then moved to Mishawaka and purchased the A&W Drive-In in Twin Branch. He and his wife Catherine ran the Drive-In for over 15 years. After the sale of the Drive-in, he became a courier for Wells Fargo Bank until his retirement.
He loved to travel, especially to Florida, camping and fishing, especially in the Mountains and Lakes, and enjoyed family outings.
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