James F. Zeis

Friday, January 27, 2017

James F. Zeis, 90, of Greencastle, passed away surrounded by his loving family, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Putnam County Hospital.

Born on Oct. 3, 1926, in Greencastle, he was the son of James B. and Helen (Sallust) Zeis.

He was a 1944 graduate of Greencastle High School.

Jim (or "Sunny," "Cotton" or "Whitey") as he was also known, wanted to quit high school right away and join the Marines, but his mom and dad insisted he graduate first. Immediately after graduation, he did join the United States Marine Corps and served in World War II as a Private 1st Class, 5th Marine Division, Pacific Theater.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 1550, Greencastle.

Upon his return home from the Marines, he attended DePauw University. In 1947 he married Patricia Ruark. They were blessed with two daughters, Darla and Beth.

Not one to sit at a desk, he worked at Headley Hardware for 53 years, retiring in 2006 at the age of 80.

He loved people and enjoyed helping them in any way he could. His family always came first, though, and he was a devoted and loving husband and father.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Evelyn Marie "Evie" Zeis; daughters, Darla Zeis and Beth Anne Zeis; stepdaughter, Beth Ann (Gary) Goodman; daughter-in-law, Patricia Briggs; grandchildren, Dana (Harold) Dietrich, Michael Bastin and Jake (Tami) Van Rensselaer; step-grandchildren, Heather (Steve) Maddox, Joanna Clodfelter, Cara Beth Briggs and Clinton (Kristen) Briggs; and eight great-grandchildren. Also, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Arthur and Sarah Nevins; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepson Matthew Briggs, stepdaughter Laura Briggs; and sister Georgia Barrett.

His favorite pastime was reminiscing and collecting the memorabilia of Greencastle's history. He enjoyed restoring his collected items to their original condition, therefore, saving the past.

His family and friends remember him best for his "sunny" and kind disposition.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle. Interment with military rites will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family c/o www.BittlesandHurt.com.