James C. Worden

July 12, 1932 - April 3, 2018

James C. Worden, age 85, of Rensselaer passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Franciscan Health Rensselaer. Jim was born on July 12, 1932 in Rensselaer, Indiana to Carl Joseph and Lucy (Lane) Worden. Jim graduated from Rensselaer High School with the Class of 1950. He attended one year at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer. Jim joined the United State Air Force on September 24, 1952. He was discharged from active service at Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville, Arkansas on September 23, 1956. On July 14, 1962, in Kingford Heights, Indiana Jim married the love of his life, Betty A. Bolakowski who survives. He retired from St. Joseph College where he was employed in the Facility Maintenance Department. Jim previously had worked for Wrights Furniture as a floor covering installer. Jim was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer, a past member of the St. Augustine Parish Council and most recently the Renovation Committee. Jim was a St. Joseph College Fellow and a past Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed sports and especially enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears when they practiced at St. Joseph College. He enjoyed working on his genealogy and especially enjoyed helping others through the Jasper County Historical Society. He had a passion for being a weather watcher, loved reading history books and pertinent current affairs. Surviving with his loving wife Betty are their children, Lynda (Bruce) Anderson of Indianapolis, IN, Francis “Frank” (Mary Jane) Worden of Ann Arbor, MI and Jenny (Kip) Chandler of Peru, IN; five grandchildren, Elaine and Carl Anderson, Benjamin Worden and Katie and Michael Chandler; and his brother, Charles “Chuck” Worden of Camden, NC. Friends will be received at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer with Fr. Don Davison officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rensselaer with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the St. Augustine Catholic Church or the St. Augustine Catholic School. Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer is in charge of arrangements.