Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Martha "Diane" James

About

Valparaiso University

FUNERAL HOME

Wanatah Funeral Chapel

309 North Main Street

Wanatah, Indiana

Martha James Obituary

MARTHA "DIANE" JAMES HOBART, IN Martha "Diane" James, 79, of Hobart passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 at home. She was born June 21, 1935 in Claypool, IN to Alton "Si" and Pauline (Tibbits) Shoemaker. Diane received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Valparaiso University and her Master's Degree from Indiana University Northwest and went on to teach school for 34 years retiring from George Earle Elementary School. Diane loved teaching as much as she loved her students. She was always very enthusiastic, especially with trying new things in and out of her classroom. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Retired Teachers Association and Salem United Church of Christ in Wanatah. Diane enjoyed racing, having made yearly trips to the Indy 500, traveling, and her winter home in Florida. On August 2, 1953 in Claypool, IN she married Donald D. James who preceded her in death in 2007. Survivors include their children: Joni James and Jerry (Joy) James both of Hobart and sister; Dixie Daugherty of New Albany, IN. In addition to her husband, Diane was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dick Shoemaker. A visitation will be held Friday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at Salem U.C.C., 302 S. Main St., Wanatah with funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Carol Nordstrom officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the church. WanatahFuneralChapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times on Dec. 31, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Martha James

15 Entries

Jim Churilla

January 22, 2015

I was a student of Mrs James at George Earl back in 1973 and I fondly remember her especially taking us to the Indy 500 time trials and meeting AJ Foyt. RIP Mrs James.

Kathy Keith - Proffitt

January 16, 2015

Mrs. James was my favorite teacher. She was so kind to all her students. I was having trouble with math. I remember her coming to my house for the first month of summer vacation to get me ready for 5th grade. I thought the world of her. I have been a race fan ever since. So sad to hear of her passing.

Debbie Schavey Ruff

January 15, 2015

Dear Joni, Jerry and Joy -- So very sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My mom (Joan Schavey) was colleagues with Mrs. James at George Earle and Delta Kappa Gamma. We will always remember your mom as a thoughful, dedicated, enthusiastic teacher.

LeAnn Plesha/Cox

January 2, 2015

Mrs. James was the best teacher I had. She loved all of her students and the field trip to Indy was the best.

Crystal Millsap

January 2, 2015

I have thought of Mrs.James many times over the years. She was my 4th or 5th grade teacher...I remember she took us to the Indy 500 and we had Jamestown money in the classroom. I'll never forget her. All my years at George Earle she drove a brown station wagon and parked in the same spot every year. She was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful person.

Laurie Ellenberger

January 1, 2015

You will always be in our hearts. What a wonderful teacher you were and also a good friend. You will be missed. Our sympathy to Joni, Jerry & Joy. With Love, the Bob Ellenberger Family

Ken Glennon

January 1, 2015

As children there is an order of influence which imprints us in who we become in life. Primary in that evolution are three significant persons, Father, Mother and Teacher and they have the greatest capacity to mold young lives toward perfection. The FMT coalition is a Trinity of sorts assuring success.

Our four children Billy, Tim, Patty and Linda, all attended George Earle between 1972 and 1984. We lived kitty-corner from the school and considered it an extension of our home. Sam, “The Wonder Dog” kept watch on all the children going to and from school. He even made impromptu visits gaining entry into the hallway including a peek into Mrs. James classroom.

We were concerned one year when we discovered that our Billy was having issues reading and paying attention in his classes. Helping with homework and other support at home did little to help. The next semester Mrs. James became his teacher. She saw through Billy's fog revealing a brilliant little boy who needed a little extra direction tailored to his situation. To our relief Billy's grades picked up and he did much better.

Tim didn't have the opportunity to attend Mrs. James class but nonetheless his class was included in the annual trek to the exciting carburetor day at Indy. The Indy 500 was a huge event in our house and Tim's news was on a level of an audience with the Pope. Tim was well versed with all things Indy and he tells the story of the class bus rolling into the infield to the roar of turbocharged roadsters. Just then, both Tim and Mrs. James exuberantly yelled out, “It's Johnny Rutherford,” as the big star of Texas flashed past. That year “Lone Star J.R.” was on his way to breaking the 200 mile per hour speed barrier. The teacher and the student shared a special moment in history.

Postings were displayed on the front doors of the school telling which teachers the next semester of students would be assigned to. Mrs. Glennon called the school secretary and made sure that Patty would have Mrs. James. Patty excelled in the invigorating environment. Patty tells of looking forward to Mrs. James reading aloud to the class from the book “The Bears of Blue River,” by Charles Major. A true story about pioneer Indiana, delivered in the most personal way a teacher could by personal recitation. Patty was one of many students endeared to Mrs. James. Also, that year the annual Indy 500 trip was a first away from home adventure for Patty without us. We were anxious and excited at the same time.

Years later Patty was attending St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana. She competed in the school's annual “Little 500,” in a high performance go-cart. She became a leaf on the branch of Mrs. James tree of influence and finished in the top 10 in the race. Last year Patty gave her daughter Jackie “The Bears of Blue River”, as a Christmas gift. A piece of Mrs. James legacy was lovingly passed to a new generation.

Our youngest, Linda, came to Mrs. James class branded as a slow learner and possessing poor reading skills. Linda tells the story of how Mrs. James would often give a lengthy assignment to the class. Once the class started the task, she took Linda aside and tutored her. Over the course of the year she had nudged Linda into a current of confidence, revealing the bright and intelligent little girl who no longer spoke with lazy r's. Mrs. James saw through bias and branding with a Devine gift of perception and nurturing, delivering needy spirits to their greatest potential.

Many years later when our son Billy died tragically, Mrs. James came to the funeral home and soothed our aching hearts with kindness and compassion. She gifted us with positives of her experience with Billy and the majesty of the boy she found in his being.

So it is that Mrs. James had a profound influence on our children. She also had a profound influence on us their parents.
Mrs. James is the personification of the word Teacher. Beyond learning, she influenced, beyond teaching, she lead. She was a genuine saint in her vocation. I am also confident that our story is just one among hundreds.

All of the Glennon family shares a sense of loss and sadness with her passing. But we also feel assured that her rewards are manifest in Heavenly Blessings for a job well done.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all who treasured her as our special Teacher.

Linda Glennon McKinney

January 1, 2015

My deepest sympathy to the family. Mrs. James had a profound impact on my life at an early age. I entered her fourth grade classroom labeled a poor learner and below average reader. Mrs. James believed I was "mislabeled" and worked with me individually during class time to enhance my skills as a student. It was dedication to her teaching craft, and belief in a shy girl, that turned a life around. I graduated in the top ten percent of my high school class, and like Mrs. James, earned a bachelors degree from Valparaiso University. What an influential and profound woman Mrs. James was. Her legacy lives on in many students like myself. God bless.

Mary Anderson

January 1, 2015

My condolences to Mrs. James family and friends.
She was a wonderful woman and teacher (my 4th grade teacher). And one of my favorites!

Kelley Leahey Hart

January 1, 2015

RIP Mrs. James! Even though I was in the other 4th grade class, her energy and influence spilled over to all of us. Every time I go to the 500 or see Mario Andretti, I think of her even these 35 years later. My sympathy to her family!

Rhonda McManaway (Kirk)

December 31, 2014

Mrs. James was my teacher in 1969/1970 school year. She was a major influence on me and I believe she helped to make me the person I am today. She also gave me a rabbit that year and I thought I was the so special. She will be dearly missed and I'm sure everyone who came in contact with her loved her. So sorry for the family's loss.

Renee Mitchell/Fitzgerald

December 31, 2014

Prayers go out to your family in this time of sorrow. It was a honor having your mom as a teacher. Best teacher I ever had.If you didn't know anything about racing, by the time you left her class, you knew about the 500!!!!She may be gone, but her memories will live on forever. RIP Mrs. James

Martha Cicillian

December 31, 2014

You were an amazing teacher who made learning fun. You will be missed.

Allisa Duda

December 31, 2014

Wow so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person. She taught my daughter and myself 4 th grade what a wonderful person she will be greatly missed. God bless your family. Prayer to all

Tom Haskett

December 31, 2014

Mrs. James- Thank you for making learning fun! The year in your class was one of the best years. Hearing the words Indy 500 and Mario Andretti always made me think of you! Rest In Reace you dear sweet lady!

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results