ELKHART -- James D. "Jim" Cinninger, 81, of Elkhart, died at 11:36 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 13, 2009) in Elkhart General Hospital with his daughter by his side.

He was born Feb. 28, 1928, in North Dakota to Robert and Duella (Danielson) Cinninger. He married Rosemary Roberts on July 2, 1951, in Vincennes. She passed away in 2001.

He is survived by one daughter, Jo Ellen Gushwa of Elkhart; one brother, Robert (Charlotte) Cinninger of Niles, Mich.; one grandson, Harley Lee Gushwa of Elkhart; three great-grandchildren, Cherie Brantley of Las Vegas and Kristen Crossland and Harley L. Gushwa III, both of Elkhart; and one special niece, Sandra Salmons of Osceola.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary, his parents and two sisters, Mary and Verna.

Jim had worked at Bendix, Elkhart Public Utilities and the Studebaker plant. He retired in the mid-1980s as a supervisor from the Engineering Department at Elkhart General Hospital after more than 20 years of service.

He was a member of Elkhart Moose 599, the VFW and the American Legion. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason at the Elkhart Kane Lodge 183 and a Shriner, often volunteering to drive ill children to and from the Shriner's Childrens' Hospital in Chicago.

He was an avid fisherman, mushroom hunter and NASCAR fan with Tony Stewart being among his favorites. He also liked crossword puzzles, watching the Discovery Channel and national news on television.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Panama Canal Zone.

Friends may call one hour prior to the 1 p.m. service Wednesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Pastor Frank King of Mountaintop Community Church in Elkhart will officiate.

Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. Elkhart DAV Chapter 19 and the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard will render military graveside honors.

Memorials may go to the James D. Cinninger Memorial Fund, c/o Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514.

Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.