James D. Voelker

James D. Voelker, 92, of Evansville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 15, 2024 at his home. Jim was born on May 10, 1931 in Evansville to the late Silverius and Dorothy (Mencke) Voelker. He was a 1950 graduate of Bosse High School; due to his great love of his country, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps immediately following graduation. When the Korean War began, Jim was transferred to the United States Army as the Marine Corps had not yet joined the fight. Even more important to Jim than his love for his country was his love for his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Sims. Jim and Betty were married on February 4, 1952, and after a short honeymoon to the Smokey Mountains, Jim headed off to war. During the war, Jim served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army. Upon his return from the war, Jim was back at Betty’s side, never to leave again. Jim was also introduced to his first child James, who was born during the war. Together, Jim and Betty raised five more children, Diana, Terrie, Patty, Susan and Andy. Jim worked in and later owned and operated his family’s business, Heldt and Voelker Hardware from the time he was 10 years old until the store closed in 1988. Jim was a member of VFW Post 1114; served as the state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; was actively involved in the West Side Nut Club, Germania Maennerchor; helped found the German Township Fire Department; served as President of the Westside Business Association and served as cook and tour guide of LST 325. Jim also devoted a great deal of his time to the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club to help honor deceased veterans. Surviving Jim are his wife of 72 years, Betty Voelker; daughters, Diana (Rick McCormick) McCullough; Patty (Jon) Fehrenbacher; sons, James A. (Rose) Voelker and Andy (Laura) Voelker; son in law, Dave Noland; grandchildren, George (Katherine) McCullough, Frank (Brent) McCullough Phillips, James (Yvonne) McCullough, Joe McCullough, Michael McCullough, Tonya (Rob) Robertson, Jenny (Adam Lentz) Noland, whom they helped raise; Amanda (Patrick) Craig, Lee (Sara) Fehrenbacher, Kim (Terry) Cox, Keegan Stratton, Hannah (Kyle) Groombridge, Noah (Kathryn) Voelker, Moriah (David) Sombrio and Bethany Voelker; twenty four great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. In addition to his parents, Jim now joins two daughters in Heaven, Terrie Noland and Sue Stratton and grandchildren, John Voelker, Kaleb Stratton and Katie Stratton. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Resurrection Catholic Church, Rev. Jerry Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 5:00 PM on Sunday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:30 AM until service time on Monday at Resurrection Church, 5301 New Harmony Road, Evansville, IN 47720. Memorial contributions may be made to Resurrection Catholic Church or to SWIRCA, 16 W. Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47710. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

James D. Voelker

May 10, 1931 - April 15, 2024