James Anderson Work, Iii

James Anderson Work, III, 97, of Goshen, died Tuesday morning, January 22, 2013, at IU Health Goshen Hospital. James was born June 19, 1915, in Elkhart, where he lived most of his life. He was the son of Dr. James A. and Mrs. Bess (Middleton) Work, Jr. He was a 1932 graduate of Elkhart High School. He attended DePauw University, and received his BS from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1938. Mr. Work married Marie E. Church at the home of her parents, Dr. Harold and Mrs. Olive (Oswald) Church on Jackson Blvd, Elkhart, Christmas Eve 1940. They were married for over 72 years. Jim and Marie shared the same birthday, four years apart. He was a World War II Naval Veteran, having served as a Communication Officer aboard the USS Eldorado, USS Panamint (Okinawa) and with Admiral Riefsnider on the USS Mount McKinley, attached to the Flag (Admiral). After training at Harvard, his first service was Amphibious Training Command West, at Coronado, CA. Active duty was from May 1, 1943-Dec 1, 1945. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant JG. Jim worked at Miles and Ames for 35 years. In 1946 he was in the research lab. He was then with Ames (1947-1957) as a Professional Service Representative. He continued with Miles in Elkhart until his retirement in 1982, where he was in Product Development, Production Planning and finally Inventory Control. Mr. Work was a driver for Meals on Wheels for 25 years, first in Elkhart 19 years, then at Goshen/Greencroft. He had a lifelong love for the outdoors, especially canoeing the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan, where he spent many hours and days throughout his life. He was a fourth generation member of the First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart, where he had been an Elder and Trustee. He later attended church at the First Presbyterian Church, Goshen. He is survived by three children: Ann E. (Barrie) Borger, Fishers; Robert J. (Nora Minor) Work, Tampa, Fla.; and Mary S. (James) Rasp, Elkhart; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings William (Mary Frances) Work, W. Lafayette, and Margaret Dilley, Whitehall, Mich. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary B. Work and Jean Hodge; and two children, James C. Work (1948) and Ruth M. Work (1967). A 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 29, family memorial service is being planned at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, Elkhart. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Greencroft Foundation for the Health Care Project, First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart or First Presbyterian Church of Goshen.