James R. Cory

James R. Cory, 82, of Bristol, died Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on April 5, 1927 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Harmon and Myla (Reeder) Cory. He married Donna M. Datena in Elkhart on June 19, 1954. She died in 2003.

He is survived by 2 sons Timothy (Cindy) Cory of Hazard Kentucky and Shaun (Terry) Cory of Goodrich, Arizona; a daughter Kathleen (Robert) Whitmyer of Duluth, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren; a brother John (Frances) Cory of Greenwood, Indiana; and 2 sisters Ann (Harold) Bretz of Greenwood and Mary Cooper of Indianapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son Kevin Frances Cory and a brother, Fred Cory.

Mr. Cory earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physical and Industrial Education and a Master’s of Education Degree from Ball State University. He retired after 28 years in the U.S. Army, serving as Sgt. 1st Class with the 82nd Airborne during WWII. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as a Major. He then retired after 15 years of teaching in the Elkhart Community Schools. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bristol; The Reserve Officer’s Association, the Retired Officer’s Association, the U.S.A.F Association, Heart City Kiwanis, the Elkhart Teacher’s Association, the Indiana State Teacher’s Association, the National Education Association, and Phi Sigma Epsilon. He did volunteer work for the Elkhart Co. Council on Aging and the Salvation Army where his was named Volunteer of the Year in 1994.

Visitation will be Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart where the Rosary will be recited at 4 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bristol. Father Chuck Herman will officiate. Burial will follow in Oakridge Cemetery, Bristol where military graveside honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to Riley Children’s Hospital. You may visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.