Donnie James

Donnie J. James, 73, rural Dunkirk, died Sunday, July 14, 2024, at home following an extended illness. 

Born in Muncie on Oct. 22, 1950, he grew up in Dunkirk and was a lifetime resident of the Dunkirk/Redkey area. Donnie was a 1969 graduate of Dunkirk High School and was a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He worked in shipping and receiving at Borg-Warner, Muncie, for 30 years before retiring in 2005. Throughout his life, Donnie was a policeman for several area departments including Jay County, Albany, Eaton, Dunkirk and Redkey. His involvement with mentoring inmates was always cherished. 

Donnie was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portland. He belonged to U.A.W. 287, was a former union steward and enjoyed being outdoors, attending sporting events and spending time with family.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Debbie James; sons Chris James (wife: Kathy), Hartford City, Donnie James (wife: Tonia), New Port Richey, Florida, Eric James (wife: Virginia), Butler, and Darin James (wife: Cortney), Farmland; stepson Travis Hammond (wife: Suzanne), Floyds Knobs; stepdaughter Taran Edwards (husband: Lee), Dunkirk; brother DeWayne James (wife: Barbara), Albany; brother-in-law Robert Hauch, Michigan; sister-in-law Liz James, Churubusco; 25 grandchildren, 4 four great-grandchildren; two nephews; and his two dogs, Fluffy and Yolo.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Marie (Auker) James; brother Eddie James; and sister Patricia Hauch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Portland. Cremation will follow with interment at Dunkirk I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Visiting hours are Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church in Portland.

Memorials may be sent to Stillwater Hospice, Fort Wayne, in memory of Donnie.

The funeral mass will be livestreamed from MeachamFuneralService.com where condolences and other expressions of sympathy can also be given.