James "Jim" Habegger

Born August 30, 1935 in Adams County, Indiana, Jim was the son of the late Eldon H. Habegger and the late Dolores E. (Book) Habegger. Jim was united in marriage on July 7, 1956 to Sharon R. Hirschy and she preceded him in death on July 25, 2002. He then married Marlene (Trisel) Ripley on April 24, 2003 in Branson, Missouri and she survives in Decatur.

He was a 1953 graduate of Willshire High School and attended Indiana University in Fort Wayne, Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, & graduated from Grand Rapids Community College. He served his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He retired in January of 1998 from Buschman Company in Cincinnati, Ohio with 41 years of service as an electronic engineer. Jim was also a farmer for 25 years and had previously worked at Lear-Siegler Inc., Rapistan Inc., & Mannesmann Demag Inc. all in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was awarded five patents related to material handling equipment & control.

Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church in Decatur & the Elks Lodge #993 in Decatur. He enjoyed woodworking, golf, working in his lawn, & was an avid reader. He loved singing and was in a quartet called the Blendaires. Family was very important to Jim & he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene Habegger of Decatur, IN; daughter, Vickie (Tim) Welton of Middleville, MI; son, Bruce (Kathy) Habegger of Winter Haven, FL; daughter, Diane Habegger of Pensacola, FL; son, Steve (Marge) Habegger of Empire, MI; step-daughter, Melanie Ripley of Lima, OH; step-daughter, Tamara Eblen of Rockford, OH; step-son, Craig (Rita) Ripley of Willshire, OH; step-son, Van (Kelly) Ripley of Convoy, OH; brother, Eldon L. Habegger of Convoy, OH; half-brother, Daniel Reichard of Rolla, MO; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a step-granddaughter, Che’ Ripley in 2001 and a step-brother, Eugene Reichard.