James Russell Wattles

James R. Wattles (Jim), 72, of Bloomington, passed away December 13, 2010, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Born on March 31, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of James R. Wattles, Sr. and Dorothy (Gordier) Wattles; the second of their four children. Jim was a graduate of Howe Military Academy in Howe, Indiana; and Indiana University-Bloomington, receiving a degree in Business. Enlisting into the United States Marine Corp. Jim attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. After being stationed in Camp Lejeune, Jim then served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Jim rose to the rank of Captain, and was honorably discharged in 1966. Jim, his wife, JoAnn, and his two daughters, Jennifer & Christine, moved to Bloomington in 1971. Jim became a co-owner of BMB Heating & Cooling, from where he retired in 2005. Throughout his career, Jim participated in a few side business ventures, including a short-lived stint as a partner in the BLW Cattle Company. Jim was a long-time member of the Bloomington Country Club, and enjoyed few things more than playing golf there with his friends. Despite repeated affirmations by daughters that they were not involved, the location of one of his favorite golf clubs has never been resolved. In addition to golf, Jim enjoyed growing and giving away house plants, bird feeding and watching, fishing with friends, and spending time with all of his grandkids. Jim had a remarkable sense of humor, a quick wit, and never knew a stranger; he so enjoyed being with people. Jim was predeceased by his parents, and his younger brother, Richard Wattles. Survivors include his wife of forty-six years, JoAnn (Westfall) Wattles; his two daughters, Jennifer (Kevin) Halloran, of Bloomington, and Christine (Edward) Sammons, of West Lafayette; his sister, Joan Wattles, of Seattle, Washington; his brother, Gary (Jeanette) Wattles, of Boise, Idaho; his mother-in-law, Marguerite Carpenter, of Bloomington; and his nine grandchildren, Sheridan Halloran, Delaney Halloran, Griffin Halloran, Eleanor Sammons, Riley Halloran, Peter Sammons, Evan Halloran, Maggie Sammons, and Aidan Halloran. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. at St. Charles Church, 2222 E. Third Street, in Bloomington, with Rev. Fr. William Stumpf officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Allen Funeral Home, at 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington. Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Heart Association, at www.heart.org; or to the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center of Bloomington Hospital 601 West 2nd Street, Bloomington, IN 47403. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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James Russell Wattles

March 31, 1938 - December 13, 2010