James E. Milas

James Edward Milas, 78, or Jim to family and friends, officially retired on Tuesday, August 26, in the comfort of his home. Jim is survived by his son Peter, his brother Martin, and his sister Judy Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie; his brother Michael Milas; and his sister Kimberly Schoenhaar.

Jim was born on April 11, 1947, in Chicago, IL. He was the son of Henry and Eleanor Miloszewski. The surname was changed just in time for Jim's birth, making him the first born Milas. After living in Chicago for his first few years, Jim moved to Palatine, IL, where he shared time living with his grandparents, Joseph and Eugenia Miloszewski, and Frank and Lillith Raczkowski. Jim graduated from Palatine High School in 1965.

Upon graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving our country from 1965-1967. He was honorably discharged after receiving the Purple Heart from wounds sustained during the Vietnam War. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was infantry and was a fire team leader. Jim was also an expert rifleman. When asked about his scariest military experience, without hesitating, Jim answered it was stepping off the bus at boot camp at Camp Pendleton and meeting his drill sergeant for the first time!

Jim began looking for work after his discharge. During one job interview, he was asked about his injuries. Jim answered, and a follow up question was asked, if any injuries had occurred to his head? Jim answered "no" and was hired on the spot.

In 1969, while working as a manager at the Schering Corporation in Niles, IL, a young lady whom Jim had wanted to fire for always being late, flung a rubber band at him to attract his attention. The plan worked and the two went on a date.

On July 3, 1970, Jim married his "sweety," Audrey 'Bonnie' Shanafelt. After the two eloped, they went off to college and attended Southern Illinois University, where Jim studied biology and microbiology, eventually obtaining his degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle in 1976.

Shortly thereafter, Jim and Bonnie moved to Anderson, Indiana, where Jim was hired by Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals as a pharmaceutical representative. This was the beginning of a successful 40+ year career in the pharmaceutical industry. He left Merrell Dow for Knoll Pharmaceuticals, eventually retiring with Abbott Laboratories as a district sales manager.

More than anything, Jim wanted to be a loving husband and father. On November 28, 1978, Bonnie gave birth to their one and only child, Peter Frank Milas. Bonnie said later, it was the first time she had seen her husband cry.

Jim was a devout Catholic, attending St. Mary's Catholic Church over the past 10 years after attending St. Francis of Assisi and St. Lawrence. He became a pro-life advocate and an extraordinary minister at St. Mary's.

Jim and his family lived in Muncie a little over 10 years before moving to the Selma area in 1992. Jim acquired a property with a few acres of wooded land because, as Jim stated, he would have something to do after he retired. He loved working on his property, cutting up firewood, mowing the grass and picking up ALL the leaves during the fall.

He also was fond of animals, and as it turned out, animals were fond of Jim, whether domesticated or not. Jim fed all the animals on his property; from the cats acquired living in the country to the birds and deer. Even the raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks were taken care of! Every animal knew they were safe on Jim's property.

Jim was a loyal friend, along with being a loyal husband and father. He was a good storyteller and loved telling jokes. He also enjoyed meeting friends over meals.

Jim also had a love of baseball and the Chicago White Sox. He would skip school when he was young to go watch Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox turn two at Comiskey Park. He also bought a bat, ball and glove once he found out Bonnie was pregnant. But what he loved the most was coaching and watching his son play baseball and basketball.

Jim lived his entire life by the Marine Corp ethos: honor, courage and commitment. He was a man of integrity. He always did the right thing even if it was the hard thing. He never took shortcuts. He was a loyal man. He was a caring man. He was completely selfless and thoughtful, never putting himself first. He was a protector and provider. He was a moral man, never wavering. He was determined and was a caretaker. But above all else, Jim loved his wife and son and friends and did everything he could to ensure their comfort, health and happiness. We will always love you and will never forget you.

Semper Fi!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2300 W. Jackson Street, Muncie. Private burial will take place at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis.

Friends may call at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2300 W. Jackson Street, Muncie, from 10:00 am until mass time at 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maryknoll Mission, P.O. Box 303, Maryknoll, NY 10545 or www.maryknoll.org, or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.