James E. Jindra

James Edward Jindra passed from this life to his heavenly home on January 24, 2017 at Schowalter Villa, Hesston KS. Jim was born March 2, 1940 to Edward and Rose Berka Jindra. He was born at the family home in Hickory Township, Grant County, OK. He had a sister, Helen, and a brother, Laddie Jindra. When Jim was two years of age the family moved ten miles north of Caldwell, KS. His maternal grandmother was seriously ill and Jim’s mother needed to help with her care. Jim became close to his grandfather, Mike Berka. The family moved in 1951 to the farm where he would live for the next 58 years, north and west of Caldwell. Jim attended Hahn country school thru the eighth grade and graduated from Caldwell High School with the class of 1958. Jim farmed with his father after graduating high school. He joined the Kansas National Guard in 1961 and was sent to Fort Ord, CA for six months basic training. He had two friends from Caldwell that went at the same time for training. Army training was not hard for Jim because a good farm boy was used to hard labor and taking orders. Jim returned home in February, 1963. Jim received a honorable medical discharge in December, 1963 A week after coming home, he went to Wichita to see a friend and was introduced to Linda McNett. A romance began that has lasted 53 years. Jim and Linda were married November 9, 1963. They lived on the Jindra home place 9 north and 4 ½ mile west of Caldwell. To this union three daughters were born. Jim farmed the Jindra land. Linda did the accounting and the business side of farming. When Jim needed a hired hand, Linda was the one who helped in the field. They had a great working partnership. In 1988 Jim went to work for CELCO at Anthony, KS. He electro polished stainless steel, mostly medical equipment. He retired from farming and CELCO in September, 2000. Jim was a past patron of Anthony Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; Past Master of Sumner Masonic Lodge, Caldwell; Scottish Rite and Midian Shrine of Wichita, KS. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Laddie and sister, Helen Baker and a grandson Cory James Reimer. He is survived by his wife, Linda of Hesston, KS; daughters Jeanette and Chris Shelton, Powhatan, VA; Kristi and Brian Reimer, Hesston, KS; and Lori and David Fisher, Topeka, KS; ten grandchildren, Rebecca and Melissa Reimer, Hesston, KS; Jessica Fisher, Fresno, CA; Jamie, Jacob, Julia and Jason Fisher, Topeka, KS; Alex, Nathan and Sydney Shelton, Powhatan, VA. Jim is also survived by his brother-in-law Tom Baker, Caldwell, KS, Sister-in-law Laurian and Terry Hunt of Lexington, KY; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jim was always pleasant and easy mannered. Relative or friend he always goes along with everyone. He was always loved by his wife of 53 years, children and grandchildren. Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Schowalter Villa Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Corbin United Methodist Church, Corbin. Burial will follow at the Caldwell Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Schowalter Villa Chapel or the Caldwell Alumni Fund in his name in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home in Hesston, KS.

James E. Jindra

March 2, 1940 - January 24, 2017