James E. McNabney

1934 - 2024

James E. McNabney

Oct 30, 1934 - Oct 21, 2024

HIGHLAND, IN - James E. McNabney, age 89, died on October 21, 2024, in Munster, Indiana. He was a graduate of Hammond High School and Indiana University "With Distinction" from the School of Business. He received a Masters Degree in Education in 1962 and did post-graduate work in Speech, Counseling & Guidance. He was a cheerleader in college and high school and a founding father of the I.U. Student Athletic Board.

Jim served in the US Army in Germany from 1957-1959. He formed and directed The 8th Infantry Division Chorus, which gave concerts throughout Germany.

From 1962 through 1967 Jim was the Speech and Debate Coach for Hammond Morton High School. He coached state champions in individual speech events and his debate team placed third in the state. He was elected by all Indiana speech coaches to be one of the three directors of the Indiana High School Forensic Association. Jim ran the Indiana debate finals in 1966.

After five years in secondary education, Jim reluctantly left teaching in 1967 to become the first Lake County resident agent of the Horace Mann Insurance Companies. He twice received membership in the "Council of Six," the top six agents in the nation, who were also privileged to advise top management.

In 1978 Jim became a State Farm Agent and in 1979 built an office building in Dyer, Indiana. He received numerous sales awards and earned his Chartered Life Underwriter and his Chartered Financial Consultant designations in 1982 and 1989, respectively.

During his entire life, Jim continued a second career in music. While at I.U. Jim was a song leader and songwriter; he directed his Sigma Nu Fraternity, along with partnered sororities, to three "I.U. Sing" wins in 1955, 1956, and in 1960 while he was a resident advisor for his fraternity. He directed choirs and was an organist for the Griffith Methodist Church for 20 years. He played organ and piano for churches, Rotary Clubs, Masonic Lodges, country clubs, and for parties and special events. Jim wrote the "Highland Indiana Bi-Centennial Pageant" in 1976 and "Calumet College Fight Song" in 2008. In 2009-2010 he was appointed Grand Organist for the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Indiana.

Jim has been a multi-term president, secretary, and treasurer for many organizations, including the Lakeshore Chapter of Life Underwriters, the Hammond Rotary Club, the Highland Model "A" Restorers Club, a Highland precinct organization, McKinley Masonic Lodge and the Order of DeMolay, in which he was invested the Legion of Honor in 1995. He also served on the board of directors for the Lakeshore Community Concerts, the Dyer Chamber of Commerce, the Hammond Rotary Club, and the Northern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served on the advisory committee for two Indiana State Senators and is responsible for proposing legislation which established the Hoosier Prairie and the Lake County Convention and Tourism Bureau.

After retiring from business in late 1998, Jim concentrated on music, writing, and speaking. In addition to writing articles for "The Indiana Freemason" and in newspapers, he has written the books, Born In Brotherhood and Isaac The Infidel, and has spoken on them numerous times.

In 2017 Jim received the "Herman B Wells Leadership Award" for his many accomplishments and for his service to Indiana University. The award is given to men who emulate Wells, the former Chancellor of Indiana University. Jim was a consummate cheerleader his entire life in everything he did. At his Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster he was also known for telling jokes preceding the weekly "Men's Breakfast."

Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret (nee Beckett); his daughter, Joy Main (Jeff); his son, James M. McNabney (Nadia); grandsons, Evan Main, Miles Main, and James S. McNabney; and granddaughters, Madeline and Jocelyne McNabney.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church (8955 Columbia, Munster, IN). Memorials may be given in Jim's honor to Westminster.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com.