Obituaries

March 12, 1959 to January 1, 2018

ROCHESTER - James Brian “Jim” Wolfe, 58 of Medaryville, formerly of Fulton County, passed away at 3:46 a.m., Monday, Jan. 1, at LaPorte- IU Hospital.

On March 12, 1959, he was born in Huntington, the son of the late Courtney and Marjorie A. Wallace Wolfe. He grew up in the Mexico and Macy areas and graduated from Caston High School in 1977. He married Geneva Elizabeth Waddon on May 24, 2002 in Medaryville. She survives.

Also surviving are daughter Holly Zartman and husband Paul of Rochester; two step- daughters, Jessica Tharpe and husband Chris of LaPorte and Hannah Czarnecki of Medaryville; two sons Chevy Wolfe of Kewanna and James Wolfe Jr. of Medaryville; two step-sons, Daniel Timm of Valparaiso and Matthew Timm of LaPorte; sister Pattie Wolfe-Newgent and husband Craig of Fort Wayne; father- and mother-in-law Harry and Joyce Waddle of Medaryville; two sisters-in-law Crystal Waddle of Knightdale, NC, and Maddie Calvert of Francesville; two brothers-in-law, James “Jimmy” Waddle and wife Tarrie of Deland, FL and Harry Waddle Jr. and wife Andi of  Deland, FL. Also surviving are aunts Margaret Wallace and Marilyn Cook, both of Ft. Wayne; uncles Bill Wolfe, Peru, Reggie Wolfe, Mexico and Ron Wolfe, Fort Wayne; aunts Patsy Plaue, Corydon, and Sharon Staller, Auburn. In addition are many grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; plus a canine companion, Max, a buff colored Cocker Spaniel.  

Preceding him in death are maternal and paternal grandparents.

Mr. Wolfe was a proud member of the Army Indiana National Guard from 1977-1985.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Army Specialist 4. With a strong work ethic he worked in maintenance and machine repair at Caterpillar of Lafayette for the past decade. While residing in Fulton County he was a member of the Union Township Fire Department as a firefighter-EMT. He also served the county as a sheriff's deputy.  His memberships included American Legion Post # 96 of Medaryville, the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society Inc, Tip Wa Antique Tractor & Engine Club of Walton, and the National Rifle Association. As a railroad buff, he and his dad built a railroad track on the family's property near Nyona Lake. More recently he restored the Monon antique scale model train that accommodated up to 20 passengers. As a photographer he also created an interesting portfolio of railroad related images including landmarks, bridges and various perspectives of track.

A celebration of the life of will be at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester. His family will greet friends from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.