James E. Gunnels, during prayer and surrounded by family, peacefully entered into his forever eternal home in Heaven. He has seen the face of Jesus after a strong fight with cancer on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

On May 13, 1937, James, 85, was born in Langley, KY to William Taylor and Ruth Ousley Gunnels. He was the oldest of 11 children. Proudly Jim served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1959.

Jim and Louise Patton were married on April 16, 1959 and raised three daughters. Sadly, she preceded him in death on February 17, 2005.  Jim and Sandra White were married on May 28, 2005.

With a great work ethic, Jim was a iron pourer/laborer at the Dalton Foundry for many years. He was a member of the Riverview Community Church.

Left to cherish the memories of Jim are his wife Sandy; daughters: Schenna Green and husband Barry of Rochester, Paula Fruitt of Rochester, Cindy Gunnels of Rochester, Laura Calvert of Rochester, Melissa Wagoner of Mentone; 13 grandchildren: April Shaun Taylor, Justin and Nichole Tunis, Jeromy and Sarah Green, James and Kayla Gunnels, Nancy Fruitt, Ricky Snelling, Greg Snelling, Amber White, Amanda Floyd, Alyssa Calvert, Austin Calvert, Zachary Wagoner, Shelby Wagoner; numerous great grandchildren; two sisters: Ellen Slone and husband Danny, Lilly Faye Blizzard all of KY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jim in death are his parents; wife Louise; granddaughter, Tuvara Meeks;  two great grandchildren: Ava Louise Green, Garrett Keith Wagoner; great great granddaughter Jenna Lynea Snelling; two sisters: infant Bertie Mae Gunnels, Mary Magalene Stevens; and six Gunnels brothers: Millard, Jesse, Charlie, Arnold, Ivan, and Sherman.

A celebration of the life of James E. Gunnels will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Riverview Community Church, 3780 St. Rd. 110, Tippecanoe. Pastors Rod Ruberg and Steve Wilhelm will officiate.  Friends may visit with the family from 10-1 on Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in the Reichter Cemetery, northeast of Rochester.Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard and the US Army Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans Van Fund, 815 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975, in care of Rick Faust, VSO.