Mr. James Jay "Jim" Winer, Sr., of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Elkhart "Esther House" Hospice Center following an extended illness on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at exactly 11:54 a.m. Jim had a knack for making an entrance, but when it came to his exit, he did so with quiet dignity and on his own terms—just as he lived. He was born on September 30, 1954, in Elkhart to the late Joseph D. "Sam" and Barbara A. (Oaklitz) Winer, and while he came into this world with little more than his family name, he left it with a legacy of hard work, humor, and an unmatched ability to find value in the most unexpected places.

Jim married Charlotte Ann "Char" Henry in Elkhart on August 2, 1980, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and the occasional argument over who left the lights on. Char remained faithfully by his side for 41 years until her passing in December 2021. Jim never quite got over losing her, and those who knew him best suspect he was simply tired of waiting to see her again.

Jim is also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Winer, whom we imagine greeted Jim at the pearly gates with a cold drink and a sarcastic remark.

Surviving Jim is his son, James J. (Jessica) Winer, Jr. of Elkhart; daughters Christina "Chris" (Craig Winters) Winer of North Redington Beach, Florida, and Jennifer (Dirk Lester) Winer of Elkhart. Also missing him deeply are his brothers Joe Winer of Elkhart and Patrick (Cathy) Winer of Mokena, Illinois. Jim's pride and joy, however, were his grandchildren: Sawyer, Mason, and Landry Winer, Theo Lester, and Levi Miller, who will forever remember their grandpa as the guy who knew everything about everything, especially when it came to fixing things with duct tape and ingenuity.

Jim also leaves behind a loving host of extended family, good friends, firefighter buddies, and neighbors who will struggle to fill the void left by his quick wit, generosity, and legendary storytelling. His loyal shepherd mix, Rex, is currently trying to find himself again after Jim's loss and is, quite frankly, a little lost without his best friend.

In accordance with his wishes, Jim will be cremated, and a celebration of his life will be held at Billings Funeral Home on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 12:00 noon, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Jeremy Sarber, chaplain at Billings Funeral Home, will officiate. Afterward, Jim will be returned to his kids to be shared between their homes until he is eventually buried next to his beloved Char at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka, presumably after they all argue over who has to keep the urn. Firefighter honors will be rendered by the Osolo Township Fire Department during his service.

Jim grew up working in the family business, eventually becoming the co- owner and operator of Sam Winer Salvage Company, Elkhart's oldest family-owned business, which was founded by Jim's great grandfather, Sam, in 1883. Over the years, Jim and his brothers, along with their dad, spent countless hours amassing some of the finest collections of the weirdest things you could ever think of. Jim, for example, had an extensive collection of antiques, slot machines, Coca-Cola memorabilia, and firearms—most of which have, for safety reasons, been removed to a secure location.

But Jim wasn't just about business; he was about service. He was a dedicated and involved volunteer firefighter, serving with the Osolo Township Fire Department from 1984 to 1994. During his tenure, he served on the board of directors and achieved the rank of Captain. Known for his determination and grit, he took pride in his role and never hesitated to put himself in harm's way to help others.

Jim's kids always found it amusing that, despite being surrounded by rusted metal and industrial parts for most of his life, their dad secretly wanted to be a cowboy. He was an avid fan of every Clint Eastwood western ever made and often joked about playing AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" at his funeral. While we may or may not honor that request, we know he's somewhere right now, wearing an imaginary cowboy hat, riding off into the sunset, and tipping his hat to those he left behind.

Rest easy, Jim. Your ride here was one hell of an adventure.