James Earl Blythe

James Blythe, 90 of rural Evansville, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at his home. Jim was born in Gibson County, Indiana on October 23, 1924 to the late Thomas H. and Eva (Graves) Blythe. He was a 1943 graduate of Owensville High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served with the Second Marine Division (HQ/1/6) in the Pacific Theater, participating in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. At the end of the war he served with USMC occupation forces in Nagasaki, Japan until he was honorably discharged in March of 1946. After the war, he joined the Marine Reserves and attended and graduated from Indiana Central Business College in Indianapolis. He was called to active duty again during the Korean War, earning his second honorable discharge in May of 1952. He returned to Evansville and married his “sweetheart” Mabel Pauline Godeke on September 12, 1953. He took a job with Jesse F. Stock Insurance where he was the office manager. He retired from Jesse Stock Insurance in 1989, but continued to work there on a part-time basis until 2004 when he turned 80. Jim was a longtime member and supporter of the YMCA. He was a member of the Y’s Men's Club, participating in numerous activities in support of the YMCA and Camp Carson. He and Mabel organized volunteer labor for the annual YMCA “Pancake Days” for many years. He was a member of the American Legion, the Eastside Optimist Club and Prince Lodge No. 231 in Princeton, Indiana. He was a previous member of Blythe Chapel United Methodist Church and has been a faithful member of Centenary United Methodist Church since 1956 with his wife Mabel, where he sang in the choir and was a member of “The Builder’s” Sunday School class. Jim was very outgoing. He truly enjoyed meeting people, especially new members…welcoming them to church and making them feel special. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mabel Godeke Blythe, and his two sons, Tim (Cheryl) Blythe and Tom (Donna) Blythe, both of Darmstadt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katie (Neil) Goebel, Matthew Blythe, Jessica Blythe, Jennifer Blythe and Melissa Blythe, and his first cousin, Mona Fearheiley of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Elston (Hannalee) Blythe, sister Mildred (Al) Rue, sister Martha (Wiegand) Knerr, and brother John (Elsie) Blythe. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 14340 Old State Road, Evansville, Indiana, officiated by Rev. Danny Walker. Burial with military rites will follow at Blythe Chapel Cemetery in Owensville, Indiana. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road and from 9:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. The family would like to extend their appreciation and special thanks to the following caregivers and health professionals: Debbie, Tabatha and Angela from Home Instead, Jessica from MD2U and the staff at Specialty Home Health Care. Memorial contributions may be made to the Centenary Church Endowment Fund or the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.