James "Jim" John Simon

James "Jim" J. Simon, 78, of Evansville, IN, after many months of ups and downs, this jolly guy waved goodbye to this world and went whistling back to heaven on Friday, March 19, 2021. Jim was a man who valued a hard day's work, loved an action-packed episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, sipped an occasional Miller High Life, and craved thick cut bologna and cheese. Jim loved all sports, but he had a special love of baseball and enjoyed watching his grandsons play many games, often shouting, "Let's go! We need a little Bingo!" His favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and the Evansville Triplets from days gone by. Many a year, he and Paula could be found on a Saturday night at ARC Lanes bowling on leagues with their friends. And on Sunday morning after mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, he could be found at Fendrich Golf Course swinging his clubs. Jim was a hard-working man. He spent most of his working years in the food packing industry with Hesmers, Shelf Stable Food, and Ameriqual. Later, he was proud to be the first employee hired at the Evansville Menards. Jim was a devoted Catholic being raised and married at St. James in Haubstadt and a parishioner at Good Shepherd for over 45 years. He was a graduate of Haubstadt High School. He didn't know a stranger and made everyone smile. When you asked how he was, he replied "Fair to Midland," which means better than average: a pretty good way to live life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Paula Simon and parents, Wilbur and Helen (Schmitt) Simon; and brother, Norman Simon. Jim is survived by his children, Brian (Kimberly) Simon, Lori (Jared) Kixmiller and Kevin (Maureen) Simon; grandchildren, Shelbi, Mason, Preston, Mallory, Audrey, Hayden and Blake; siblings, Rita (Paul) Scoggins, Jerry Simon, Darlene (Edwin) Goedde and Delores (Fred) Hasenour. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, with entombment in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Due to the COVID Pandemic, masks and social distancing is required. For the past three years, Jim lived at North River Health Campus, where he was treated like family; therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trilogy Foundation https://thetrilogyfoundation.org/donations/ Condolences may be offered at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/evansville-in/james-simon-10115379.