James Schorey

Lt. Col. James R. Schorey USAF (ret.)

HARTFORD CITY, IN-

Lt. Col. James R. Schorey, USAF (ret.) age 89, passed peacefully Tuesday morning, October 5, 2021, in his home, after an extended illness.

He was born on April 11, 1932, in Bluffton, Indiana, the son of Clarence E. and Catherine I. (Stahl) Schorey.  His formative years were spent in Hartford City, where he graduated from Hartford City High School, class of 1950. 

Jim was a 1954 graduate of Ball State University.  Upon graduation, he was appointed as an officer in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), commencing as Pilot Training Instructor.  Jim married Nancy Sue Snider on December 27, 1954, in Muncie.

Jim retired from the USAF, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after serving his country for over thirty years. His love of aviation also caused him to instruct in aviation, in the private sector, as well as the opportunity to fill the capacity in the private sector as a corporate pilot

His military career gave he and his family the opportunity to travel the world extensively.  Lt. Col. Schorey served three tours of duty during the Vietnam Conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.  An earlier tour, he was tasked with dropping cargo supplies to USAF Antarctica facilities – all before GPS was invented.

In 2005, Jim and his wife Nancy returned to Hartford City permanently and built a home here.

Memberships:  St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus – attaining 4th degree; Past President of the Hartford City Rotary Club, the former Blackford Country Club, the local Geezers Group and the Couple’s Bridge Group,

He leaves behind, one daughter, Catherine Ellen Schorey Irwin; two granddaughters:  Heather (Dustin) Fender and Jessica L. (Franklin) de Bajana; six great-grandchildren:  Sarah, Gregory, and Jagen Fender and Lillian, Felix and Rosalie de Bajana.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews:  Lane Snider, Ann Snider Land, Doug Gilland, Jan Gilland Blake, Rod Gilland, Kevin Gilland, Mike Ball, Cherie Ball Chapman, Pat Ball, Mathew Snider and many beloved grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of over sixty-five years, Nancy, who died on July 28, 2020.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 15, 2021, in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City.  Father Kevin Hurley will be the celebrant.  Entombment, with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force and the Delaware County Veterans Honor Guard will be at Gardens of Memory in Muncie, following the mass.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 14th, 2021 at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St. The Christian wake service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be sent to Jim’s family at www.watersfuneralhomes.com.

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