Herschel James "Jim" Cummings

Monday, March 23, 2009

Herschel James "Jim" Cummings, 70, of Clayton died Sunday, March 22, 2009 at Methodist Hospital.

He was born May 16, 1938 near Cloverdale to Herman L. and Dorothy V. Carpenter Cummings, and graduated from Stilesville High School in 1956. He was known for his basketball skills and was the Hendricks County Tournament scoring champion in 1956.

Mr. Cummings had managed a dairy operation at the former Cricklewood Dairy Farm in Carmel. He joined Local 758 of the Carpenters Union and spent 30 years in the construction trades with Indy Walls and Ceilings, Kite, Inc. and General Interiors, among other drywall contractors. His work can be found in a number of commercial buildings, hospitals and schools in the area.

He played independent basketball for many years and coached Little League in Brownsburg. Since retirement, he had worked for Ag Equipment in Clayton.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Ann King Cummings; son Craig C. Cummings and wife Michelle; daughters Jeanine Kay Cummings and partner John Zaggers, Carrie Christine Cummings Thomas and husband Leonard and Lori Lynn Cummings Andrews and husband David; stepchildren Michael A. Fox and wife Rhonda and Julia Fox Bonner Liggins; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister Carolyn A. Cummings Steinbaker; brother Jerry L. Cummings and wife Kathy; half-sisters Anita Cummings Harden and Katrina Cummings Breeden and husband Curt; half-brothers Richard Cummings and Daniel Cummings and wife Carla; stepmother Doris Spears Cummings; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Doris Marjean Cummings Coffman; and the mother of his children, Marilyn J. Costin Cummings.

Graveside services will be at the Clayton Cemetery at 10 a.m. Thursday. Calling will be at Weaver and Randolph Funeral Home in Clayton from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to the Stilesville Alumni Association in care of the Hendricks County Community Foundation or the American Cancer Society.