James L. Wessic, Sr.

James L. Wessic, Sr., 91, of Shelbyville passed away surrounded by his family Sunday, November 13, 2011 at his residence. Born December 24, 1919, in Booneville, Indiana, he was the son of Ulysses Grant and Iva (Barnett) Wessic. He married Martha Crider on May 19, 1950, and she preceded him in death on March 16, 2004. Survivors include his daughters, Marcella (husband, Arthur) Douglas of Taylorsville, Janet Rush, Mary Beth Conners and Linda Wessic, all of Shelbyville; sons, James L. (wife, Paula) Wessic, Jr. of O'Fallon, Missouri and Rev. John (wife, Regina) Wessic of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Melinda Douglas of Seymour, Adam Douglas of Taylorsville, Paula (husband, Brad) Morrow, Jennifer (husband, Chad) Christian, Julie (husband, Troy) Merrick, Dean Rush, Derek (wife, Robin) Conners, Cari (husband, Joe) Ivie, Ashley Conners, Blake Wessic and Benjamin Wessic, all of Shelbyville, Jill (husband, Matt) Holbrook of Greenwood, Brett Wessic of Kendallville, Rachel (husband, Zach) Crisman of Morristown and John Mark Wessic of Mayport, Florida and 12 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Virginia Martin. Mr. Wessic was an electrician for Kelly Wiring Company from 1957 to 1975; he later became an independent contractor, retiring in 1990. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the South Pacific during World War II. Mr. Wessic was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Shelbyville, where he served on various church boards and had been a Sunday school teacher. He graduated from Lynnville High School in 1936. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at First Church of the Nazarene, 2315 S. Riley Highway, Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Dr. Steven Bohall officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.