James “Jim” L. Mayer, 83, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 5:55 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw.

He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., for the past 66 years where he was a member of Harrison Center Church in Etna Green, Ind. He was a 1948 graduate of Warsaw High School, he then attended Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., receiving his BA in 1965. He also received his Master’s degree from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Jim taught school in New Paris, Ind., for two years teaching Spanish and English, and then taught Spanish for many years at Warsaw High School retiring in 1990. He was an avid fisherman, an antique car restorer, collector of Indian artifacts, a wonderful and talented jewelry maker, and he raised ginseng.

He was born July 12, 1930, in Akron, Ohio, to Harold O. Mayer and Mildred L. (Finley) Mayer. On June 11, 1949, he was married to Margaret DeLoe, who preceded him in death on Jan. 30, 1988. Jim then re-married on Oct. 2, 1993, in Leesburg, Ind., he was married to Martha Elizabeth (Dillon) Mayer, who survives in Warsaw.

Also surviving are three sons: Steve Mayer, Winona Lake, Ind.; Jim (Jan) Mayer, Claypool, Ind.; Rod (Shana) Mayer, Warsaw; one daughter: Barbara (Jose) Castillo, Cleveland, Ohio; and one step-daughter: Sharon (Brad) Rice, Warsaw, Ind.; 11 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and his sister: Pat (Don) Sand, Warsaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; one son: Scott Mayer; a granddaughter: Ann Margaret; and his brother: Bill Mayer.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw. His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at the funeral home and officiated by Pastor Rob Vance. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202; or American Cancer Society, Northwest Indiana Office, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be sent through the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home website.