Jacob E. 'Jake' Timmons

Jacob E. ‘Jake’ Timmons, 93, Logansport, passed away at 5:29 p.m., on Saturday, August 25, 2018, in his residence.

Born April 19, 1925, in Logansport, he was the third son of Lawrence E. and Estella M. Hartman Timmons.

On September 3, 1949, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, with Fr. Harbreck officiating, he was married to G. Josephine Hershberger, who preceded him in death on February 15, 2009.

Jake attended St. Vincent Elementary and Lincoln Jr. High School.  A 1943 graduate of Logansport High School, he graduated in 1947 from Milo Bennett Tech in Maumee, Ohio.

A life-long printer, he worked for the Monticello “Herald-Journal”, the Galveston “Leader”, and Chronicle Printing Company.  He purchased Chronicle Printing from Everett Koontz in June 1964 and retired in 1987.

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he had joined the Army Air Corps on August 3, 1943.  He graduated from Gunnery School in Laredo, Texas in February 1944, among the top in the class.

In March 1944, he joined the crew of Lt. Larry Grimm as nose gunner on the B-24 Liberator.  After four months of training at March Field, California, he left the States, arriving in Townsville, Australia.  He flew 33 missions with the 43 Bomb Gp (H), 63 Squadron, 5th Air Force, jumping from island to island.

He left for home from Clark Field, Manila Philippines.  In July 1944, the crew received a medal from General Kenney for being the first bomber to land in the Philippines after the invasion of McArthur on Leyte.  The crew crash-landed the “Liberty Bell” on October 30, 1944.  Jake was discharged on October 8, 1945.

After returning from the service, he was a member of the VFW Post 3790 basketball team winning the State Tournament in 1947.  The team played in the National Tournament at Omaha, Nebraska at Creighton University.  They won from New York, lost to Montana and New York in the double elimination tourney.

Continuing his interest in sports, Jake coached the St. Vincent de Paul Grade School basketball and baseball teams for fifteen years, winning the City baseball tournament in 1962.

He spent the next 18 years in Little League, coaching Pancini’s White Sox, later known as Pepsi White Sox.  He then moved to Babe Ruth coaching the First Federal Savings & Loan team for five years.

After leaving baseball he coached and managed Keller’s Billiards, White House and Berkshire’s independent basketball teams to 318 wins and 20 losses over a period of years.  The teams were made up of many local high school and college players.

Under the guidance of Mayor Muehlhausen, Jake started the Riverside Park Independent Basketball Tourney at the Riverside Park Court.  Thousands of high school grads and college players participated. Oscar and Bailey Robertson were among many notable players.  The first tourney had eight teams won by Shell Service of Kokomo.  The most teams entered for one tourney was 66.

The Noon Kiwanis, of which Jake was a member, sponsored the tourney for a number of years. The money raised was used for the many projects the Kiwanis sponsored.  The tourney had a run of 29 years.

An avid golfer, he played on Logansport Golf Team 1942-43.  Most recently, in 2003, he won the 43rd Bomb Group Ass’n National held in Las Vegas.

He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, an honorary life member of St. Francis of Assisi Council 561 Third Degree, and the Fourth Degree Pulaski Assembly 237 Knights of Columbus.  He served as District Deputy under three state deputies on the state level.  He also served as State Athletic Chairman for many years and served nine years as Grand Knight of the Local Council 561.

He was also a life member of the VFW Post 3790, 43 Bomb Group (H) Ass’n, American Legion Post 702, Indianapolis and an honorary member of the Logansport Shrine Club. 

He was a Past President of United Churchmen of Cass County.

Dad loved to play the part of a cantankerous and grumpy guy, but those who knew and loved him, saw right through him.  He was a softie with a heart of gold! We salute you, Dad!

Surviving are daughters, Susie (Hal) Oliver, Teresa (Mike) Almon, all of Logansport; sons, Mike (Laurie) Timmons, Rockledge, FL, Dave Timmons and Tom Timmons, both of Logansport; brother, George Richard Timmons, Logansport.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Brian (Corey) Timmons, Brittney (Kyle) Tate, Julie Timmons, Taylor Shanks, Tanner Shanks, Logan Timmons, Jonathan Timmons and Kathryn (John) Dumont; great grandchildren, Wake Tate, Graham Shanks, Audra Jo Shanks, Evan Timmons, Theodore Gase, Hannah Simpson and Holden Wendel; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Also preceding in death were a son, Donnie Timmons; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marjorie Timmons; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah 'Sally' and Merle Boller; brother, Jack Timmons; sisters-in-law, Patsy Timmons and Joanne Timmons.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at All Saints Catholic Church, with Fr. Jeff Martin officiating.

Interment, with full military honors, will be in the Mount Calvary section of Mount Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 31st, at Kroeger Funeral Home, with the rosary service at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gibault Foundation or any favorite charity.

Family and friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.

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