James Jacka

Jim was born July 13, 1942, in Laurium, to Theodore M. Jacka and Virginia Faucett Jacka.

He was predeceased by his parents and stepfather, Harris A. Neil; and three stepbrothers, Michael, Harris and Robert Neil.

He attended Calumet Schools and graduated in 1960. He then attended Northern Michigan University, Suomi College and Cleary University and graduated in 1970.

He was active in Jaycees in Plymouth, Michigan, and Goshen. He was a member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge 12 of Goshen. He served as master of Goshen Lodge 12 in 1993, and several years as treasurer.

He was a member of South Bend Valley Scottish Rite, York Rite of Elkhart and Mizpah Shrine of Fort Wayne. He was a member of the NRA and active with the Elkhart County Republican Committee where he served as an elected member of the Washington Township Board for many years. Member of the board of directors for nine years, serving three years as board chair.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (nee Hamilton); two sons, Theodore. D. Jacka of Modesto, California, and Michael J. Jacka (Debra) of Middlebury, Indiana; and a step daughter, Deanna Waterloo of Punta Gorda, Florida. He had five grandsons, Joshua (McKenzey) of Fort Worth, Texas, Nicholas (Lindsay) of Omaha, Nebraska, Nathaniel of Dallas, Texas, Justin Waterloo of Cape Coral, Florida, and Eric Waterloo of Punta Gorda.

Jim also had two great grandchildren, Olivia and John; two brothers, William M. Jacka (Virginia) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and Paul R. Jacka (Ann Rita) of Alabaster, Alabama. Additionally, he is survived by a stepsister, Mary Haas (Tom) of Haslet, Michigan; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jim was a member of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northern Indiana, most recently attending Saint David’s Episcopal Church of Elkhart, where he served on the vestry. He also served on the Vestry of Saint James Episcopal Church of Goshen.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart IN 46514, where a masonic service will be at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at Saint James Episcopal Church, 106 South 6th Street, Goshen, IN 46528, where visitation will be one hour before funeral services. Fr. Nolan McBride will officiate. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet. Ryan Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the Jacka family in Michigan. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707 www.shrinerschildren.org. Online condolences may be made to the Jacka family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.