Obituary

James J. "Jim" Kress, 86, of Sylvan Lake, Rome City, died Saturday, October 16, 2010, in LaGrange County.

Mr. Kress was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. After graduating from Notre Dame in 1947, he became an employee of Essex Wire in Fort Wayne. He retired in 1981 after 42 years. He moved to Sylvan Lake from Fort Wayne in 1984.

He was born May 22, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, to Leo and Bernice (Doonan) Kress. On August 25, 1951, in Battle Creek, Michigan, he married Mary Ellen Black.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen Kress of Sylvan Lake; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Maria and Steven Berg of Fort Wayne, Susan Kress and Peter Phillips of Dallas, Texas, and Nancy Kress of Clearwater, Florida; three sons and a daughter-in-law, James Kress, Jr. and John Kress, both of Fort Wayne, and Chris and Terri Kress of Troy, Michigan; and eight grandchildren, Gabe Phillips-Kress, Jesse Phillips-Kress, Jen Berg, Angie Kress, Aubrey Kress, Monika Kress, Nathan Kress, and Cameron Kress.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Judy Ann Kress in 1954.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, October 22, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Gaspar Catholic Church, 10871 N SR 9, Rome City, with Father Bernard Ramenaden officiating. Burial will be in St. Gaspar Catholic Cemetery. Military graveside services will be provided by American Legion Post 381, Rome City and VFW Post 2749, Kendallville.

Calling is Thursday, October 21, 2010, from 3 to 7 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville where there will be a Rosary service at 7 p.m.

Calling will also be one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are masses to the church or to the donor's choice.

View a video tribute after Thursday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com