James E. Douglas Sr.

James E. Douglas Sr., 86, of Shelbyville, died Sat. Oct. 22, 2005, at Heritage Manor, in Shelbyville. Born Jan. 1, 1919, in Shelbyville, he was the son of the late Maurice and Vera (Hobart) Douglas. He married Luella M. Shoaf Hatton on March 19, 1983, and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, James (wife, Kay) Douglas of Flat Rock and Maurice "Doug" Douglas of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Ann (husband, John) Kephart of Franklin and Lois (husband, William) Sahm of Peoria, Ill.; one stepdaughter, Mary Catherine (husband, Fred) Reff of Shelbyville; two sisters, Margaret (husband, John) Haehl and Alice (husband, Tom) Wheeler, both of Shelbyville; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Lucy (Meltzer) Douglas; one sister, Catherine Ferguson; and three brothers, John Douglas, Edwin Douglas and Robert Douglas. Mr. Douglas was a lifelong resident of Shelby County. He was a farmer and also had been employed by Cummins Engine Co. for 24 years, retiring in 1982. Mr. Douglas graduated in 1936 from Waldron High School and attended Purdue University prior to entering the Marines and Franklin College after his military service. He was a U.S. Marine veteran, serving two tours during World War II in the South Pacific with the 4th Defense Battalion. Mr. Douglas was a member of First Christian Church, a 50-year member of Farmers Masonic F&AM Lodge No. 147 and a member of American Legion Post No. 70, Greensburg Country Club and Farm Bureau. He was an avid golfer. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with Masonic rites conducted by lodge members at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, in Norristown, with graveside military rites conducted by local veterans organizations. Memorial donations may be made to the James E. Douglas Sr. Library Fund in care of Shelbyville High School, 2003 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, IN 46176, or Hospice of Shelby County, 110 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences can be sent to www.carmony-ewing.com.