James D. Stirling

James D. Stirling, 89 of Highland, Indiana, passed away at home on May 25th and began his first day in Paradise. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Donna; his three children, Kurt (Kathy) Stirling, Tina (John) Garcia, and Cary (LuAnn) Stirling; his eight grandchildren, Jim Stirling, Kelly (Jose) Lagunas, Geneva, Zachary, Grant, and Meredith Garcia, April (Kevin) Boyd, and Aimee (Tim) Dupin; his eight great grandchildren, Daman, Tony, Aliyah, Isabella, Jordan, Brady, Brooklyn, and Jensen; his brother Raymond Stirling; and his sister-in-law, Karen Barreiro. Preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Vera Stirling; siblings, Beverly, Betty, William, Jack, Daniel, and Roberta. Jim graduated from East Chicago Washington High School in 1947 and cherished his high school years. Jim proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War in Occupied Germany, and thereafter became a dental technician. Jim was also a proud business owner of Stirling Dental Laboratory, which has been in operation for over 50 years. Stirling Dental Laboratory is a longtime supporter of Donated Dental. In 1960, Jim and Donna became members of the First Church of Christ in Highland. The church was Jim's second home and his church community was Jim's second family. Jim was a true servant of God and a leader at his church. Jim faithfully served his church family in many capacities, most notably as a teacher, deacon, and elder.

Jim loved his family and never missed an event. Jim coached his own children and attended all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren's sporting events, school activities and programs, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. Jim also loved swimming, fishing, golfing and playing ping pong with his family and friends. All of which has given Jim and his family much joy and many wonderful memories.

Jim's nickname, "Sweet Jim," truly embodied Jim's personality as a kind, generous, caring, and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, neighbor, and friend. Visitation will be held at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN 46322 on Wednesday, May 30th from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Kuiper Funeral Home Thursday, May 31, at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Church of Christ in Highland, Hospice of the Calumet Area, or your charity organization of choice.