James Wemhoff

James E. Wemhoff, 96, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2018, at The Springs in Lafayette, in the presence of family. The eldest of three children, he was born January 29, 1922, in Decatur, Indiana, to Adrian and Mary Agnes Wemhoff. His brother Theodore (Carolyn) of Decatur and his sister Dorothy Wagley of Spokane, Washington, survive him. Jim graduated from Decatur Catholic High School, and from International Business College. During World War II, he served in Europe as a medic with the 19th General Hospital of the 355th Engineer Regiment, which was attached to General George S. Patton’s Third Army. His rank was corporal/T5, and he earned several meritorious service ribbons. While stationed in Belgium, he met his future wife, Victorina J. Daniels. They were married in the Church of St. Jacques, Liege, Belgium, on May 27, 1948. Victorina preceded him in death in 2016. Jim began his business career as an auditor for a public accounting firm based in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1952, one of his clients, Duncan Electric Company of Lafayette, hired him as an accountant. He remained with the company for many years, rising to Treasurer. Subsequently, he served for more than eight years as Business Manager of the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, before finally retiring. Lifelong practicing Catholics, Jim and his wife were parishioners at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Lafayette. Jim was a prolific and talented artist, painting outdoor landscape scenes in oil. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Elks Country Club. He loved building and flying model airplanes. Jim embraced technology, maintaining active email correspondence as well as a 4G smartphone. Jim is survived by his sons Joseph (Nancy) of Oak Park, Illinois, and David of Granger, Indiana. Another son, Daniel (Erika) preceded him in death. Besides numerous nieces and nephews, James is survived by five grandchildren: Thomas of Chicago, Illinois; Elizabeth of Barcelona, Spain; Laurel of Washington, D.C.; Michael of Waghausel, Germany; and Nicole (Stefan) Mantel of Schonungen, Germany. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Lafayette, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to St. Mary’s Cathedral or to a charity of choice. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Wemhoff family. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com