Jimmy Fleming, 81, peacefully passed away with his family by his side on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake.
He was born Aug. 21, 1942, in Martin, Ky., to Anna Buckley Plotner and Ballard Fleming.
On Au. 18, 1987, he married his darling wife Judy Earl Fleming. She preceded him in death on July 15, 2023.
Jimmy worked in machining and engineering his whole career. He gained that knowledge by working at several local companies in Warsaw, Gatke, OEC, Rotobur and Sandvik Coromant. He retired from Sandvik Coromant as a carbide tooling salesman/engineer. Talking shop with his son was one of his greatest joys.
Jimmy’s greatest pride in his life were his children: daughter, Rhonda (who preceded him in death); and his son, James (Amanda) Fleming. He took great joy in spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and his loyal companion Smokey Joe.
Jimmy was a member of the Kosciusko Shriner’s Club where he served as past president in 2007. He was a member of the Shriner’s Mini Bike club, where he dressed up as a clown. He loved participating in all types of parades just to see kids smile and wave. Jimmy was also a longtime, yearly supporter of the Kosciusko Shriner’s Turkey Shoot. He was a Mason with the Kosciusko Masonic Lodge (Leesburg/Milford) where he served as past master in 1991.
Jimmy enjoyed fishing with his son, grandkids and a small group of friends every September in Minnesota. Spending time with immediate and extended family was what he valued most in this world: whether it was dinner with his sister Shelby Aylor and brother-in-law Jerry, visiting his sister Geraldine Hall in Kentucky or just enjoying his granddaughter Remi by taking her somewhere in Old Betsy for their favorite ice cream or candy.
Jimmy leaves behind two great-grandchildren, two sisters and a brother-in-law, David Spangle, along with several nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his baby sister, Diana Fleming.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. A Masonic Rite will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 in the funeral home with Pastor William Whittaker officiating. Burial will be with his loving wife in the Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Shriners Children’s Hospital Chicago, 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707-3392.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the website: www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.