James Gemberling

"Life is like a Mirror, Smile at it and it Smiles back at you"

James J. Gemberling, 89, passed away on March 30, 2014. For the past four years, Jim was lovingly cared for by his daughter, Shurla, and son-in-law, David Clark, in St. Augustine, Florida.

Jim was born in 1925 in Union Mills, Indiana. He enlisted in the Army at age 17 and joined his unit, the 70th Tank Battalion, in Africa. During his service, he was deployed to Europe to partake in, among other battles, the famous WW II “Battle of the Bulge”. He was proudly awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his bravery and commitment to his country and fellow servicemen.

When he returned home, he started his family of three children with his wife, M. Virginia Gemberling, to whom he was married for 47 years. Jim was a dairy and crop farmer in Westville, Indiana for most of his life. His son, Ed Gemberling, continues today, carrying on Jim's passion for farming the land.
Jim showed his versatility working as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Local 150 in Indiana, and later served as Construction Superintendent at both Chicago O'Hare and Miami Airports.

After retiring from construction, he enjoyed his winter months fishing at Lake Okeechobee, Florida.
Jim was also active in the "Buying, Showing and Trading" of Draft Horses, and was a proud founder of the La Porte 4H Draft Horse Club.
Later in his retirement, he lived in Sparta, Tennessee, where he enjoyed restoring John Deere tractors with his wife, Barb. While residing in Tennessee, he acquired a group of friends who were never forgotten in his final years. He enjoyed telling stories of their life's adventures, plus, of course, the occasional taste of that Tennessee Apple Pie Moonshine!
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lyle Gemberling, and brothers, Bob and Art Gemberling.

James is survived by his daughters, Shurla Clark of St. Augustine, FL, and Sherry Shipley of La Porte, IN; his son, Ed Gemberling of La Porte, IN; his sister, Agnes Jones of La Porte, IN; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his former wife of 47 years, Virginia Gemberling of La Porte, IN.

Jim will always be remembered by his quick wit and fun loving nature. His sense of humor entertained his friends and neighbors wherever he was residing. His last four years were challenging with his health issues, but he never passed up the opportunity to enjoy a "Meeting of the Minds" at the end of the driveway with his new friends and neighbors in St. Augustine, Florida. God Bless you all for making his final days anything but mundane.

Jim will be greatly missed by all.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Union Mills Cemetery in Union Mills, Indiana. Full Military Honors will be conducted. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.