James K. Greiner

James "Jim" Karl Greiner, 87, of Elkhart, passed to the great beyond in a peaceful moment at his home Monday, April 14, 2014. He was born in Hubbard, Oregon, to Karl Greiner of Stolenhoff Germany (US citizen) and Edna Ann (Miller) Greiner of Kokomo. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Mary Jean (Yoder) Greiner. They were married in Middlebury, May 18, 1952. Also surviving are two daughters, Deborah (Denny) Richmond, of Goshen, and Cynthia (Brian) Willis, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Cameron (Meg) Richmond, of Indianapolis, Whitney (fiance Steve Miller) Richmond, and Landon Richmond, both of Goshen, Benjamin Willis and Brenda Beagle, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Edna (Miller) Greiner and a son Eric Karl Greiner. James grew up in Upland, California and was a 1944 graduate of Hesston Academy in Kansas. In 1951, he graduated from Goshen College as a Music educator. He received a MMEd from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago in 1964. He taught music at Grass Creek and Richland Center Schools in Fulton County; at North Webster, Koskiusco County; and at Goshen High School as Choir Director, Orchestra Director and creator of the Crimsonaires in 1962. After two years of training supervisors in industry, he returned to teaching music in the Elkhart Schools at North Side Junior H.S., until his retirement in 1985. For 40 years, he served as Church Choir director in North Webster, Rochester, Warsaw and Elkhart, in Baptist and Methodist churches. For several years he directed the Scottish Rite Choir in South Bend. During retirement, he delivered motor homes from coast to coast and traveled the Oregon Trail in 1990. His voice was heard on radio and television commercials as well as political campaigns. He was the president of Gallery Communications, an audio/video production co., for 12 years. He was the announcer of the Elkhart Municipal Band for several years and for more than 10 years, he was the voice that inducted members into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #12 of Goshen, Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend where he directed the choir for five years, Choral Directors Guild of America, International Freelance Photographers Organization where he was inducted into the Photographers Hall of Fame. He was given the Videographers Award of Distinction. He was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, President of the Town Board of North Webster and past President of the North Webster Lions Club. He played bass with the Betty K. Jazz Trio. He enjoyed athletic activities and played golf in Maplecrest, Four Lakes and Old Orchard leagues. He sang in the Elkhart Symphony Chorus, the Goshen Community Chorale and was a charter member of the Camerata Singers. A Celebration of Life service is planned for May 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley, Elkhart. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.