James Bowen (Jim) Schoonover, 97 passed away Friday, December 11 following an illness. He was born March 1, 1923 to James Clark and Buda Elizabeth (Bowen) Schoonover on the family farm north of Williamsport, Indiana. He attended elementary school at Judyville and high school at Williamsport graduating in 1941. He attended Purdue University until his Army Air Force Reserve group was called to active duty in 1943. He served as a navigator on a B-24 bomber crew in the 484th Bomb Group based in Toretto near Cerignola in southern Italy. Following the end of WW II, he returned to Purdue and completed his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in February of 1948. He worked for Allison Division of General Motors for a total of 36 years retiring in 1984.
On March 12, 1949 Jim married Phyllis Norris who survives him. They had four children, Phillip (Janet) Schoonover of Wheaton, Illinois, John Schoonover of Arlington, Texas, Sara (David) Longron of Springdale, Arkansas and Paul (Donna) Schoonover of Speedway, Indiana. Three granddaughters and two great grandchildren. Jim volunteered as an adult leader in Boy Scout Troop 410 sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Speedway when his oldest son reached scout age. He continued to serve in this capacity for slightly over twenty years.
Jim was an artist and painted race car signs that hung on the street light poles in Speedway. His ink drawings of historic buildings and places were used on the backs of playing cards by the Marshall County Historical Society Museum. Jim also enjoyed cartooning and caricature and was a member of the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana and of Heartland Artists. Jim played clarinet in the Purdue marching band. After moving to Marshall county, he joined the Sentimental Journeys. He enjoyed bicycling and participated in organized rides such as the Hilly Hundred, the Blueberry, the Amish Land and Lakes and the Touring Ride in Rural Indiana. Some of these were with Phyllis on their tandem bicycle.
Visitation will be held on Saturday December 19, 2020 from 11-12 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Funeral services will immediately follow with Pastor Toni Carmer officiating.
Burial will take place in Poplar Cemetery, Culver with military honors provided by the Plymouth American Legion Post #27.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 112 S Center St C. Plymouth, IN 46563, First United Methodist Church, 400 N Michigan St. Plymouth, IN 46563 or the choice of the donor.
PLEASE NOTE: For your protection, the entire funeral home staff will wear masks. It is mandated that family members and their guests do so as well. The funeral home will not provide any masks.
Barbara Winters says
My deepest sympathy to Phyllis and the family. I always admired Jim, his friendliness most of all. He was accomplished in so many ways, building an organ and doing fun and beautiful art work. Oh! and also he was a musician. I only knew him in retirement. No doubt he excelled in all his endeavors during his earlier life. A fine man. May he Rest In Peace.
Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hiatt says
Pat and I wish to send our condolences to my Uncle Jim’s family and Aunt Phyllis. We have special memories of Uncle Jim. He was a very talented man musically and artistically. We are so happy we were able to be with him and Aunt Phyllis this last October for a short while. May God comfort you all as you feel this great loss.
In Christ’s love,
Pat and Patty Hiatt
Rita Beck says
My sincere condolences to the family. Jim always had a smile that brightened everyones day.