James H. Naile

James H. Naile, 89, of Syracuse, died early Monday afternoon, July 10, 2006, at the Veterans Administration Northern Indiana Healthcare System in Fort Wayne where he had been a patient for three days.   He was born July 3, 1917, in Trafalgar, Indiana, to Sherman and Mary Alice (Burgett) Nail.  He married Joyce Sapsford while living in New Zealand.   He grew up in St. Paul, Indiana, where he graduated from high school.  A World War II Veteran, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific, taking part in the invasions of the Solomon and Marshall Islands, New Guinea and Okinawa.   He had worked as a territorial salesman for Hibben-Holweg Dry Goods Wholesale, was principle in establishing a local RV manufacturing company and served as an officer of the Lincoln National Life Insurance in Fort Wayne.   Mr. Naile is most known for his popular feature column “Stray Tackles” that ran in the Goshen News for over 30 years; his 1998 children’s book The Little Fir, which has just been reprinted in Spanish; and for the founding of the “3rd of July Birthday Club” which has over 500 national and international members.   He was a longtime member of the Plymouth United Church of Christ and the Goshen Historical Society.  He was honored with the Golden Deeds Award by the Goshen Exchange Club.  He most recently attended the Nappanee United Methodist Church.   He is survived by four daughters, Shirley B. (Dr. Robert) Woolfitt of Norfolk, Virginia, Julia R. (Donald) Ormiston of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Andrea L. Naile of Huntington, Indiana and Vivian S. (Eric) LaVine of Nappanee, Indiana; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Evelyn Steiner of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Marian Judy of Greensburg, Indiana and a brother, Julian (Betty) Nail of Indianapolis, Indiana.   He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris; and two brothers, Leon and Adrian Nail.   Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 13, at the funeral home.   A 2:00 p.m. service will be conducted on Friday, July 14, 2006, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Rev. Dr. Paul Koepke, a family friend, will officiate.   Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Goshen Veterans Organization.   Memorial contributions may be made to The Window or to The Goshen Historical Society.