September 10, 1954 – January 18, 2025
James ‘Jim’ Eglen passed away on January 18, 2025, at Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana in Columbus.
He was born on September 10, 1954, to the late Richard Christian Eglen and Norma Jean (Nay) Eglen. He is survived by his bride of 50 years, Mary Stahl Eglen, of Seymour. They were married in Seymour at St. Paul United Church of Christ on July 13, 1974.
Jim started working for the Indiana Telephone Company in 1973 in Madison, Indiana. In 1974, he was transferred to the Seymour district of ITC where his job duties included installing phones and splicing cables. He became a supervisor of a line crew. Throughout his time with ITC, it changed to several different names: Contel, GTE, Verizon, but one thing remained the same, Jim’s work ethic. He retired after 30 years of service with the phone company.
After Jim retired from the phone company, his passion for farming grew strong. He farmed with his father-in-law and son for many years. He spent countless hours in the field with his son, teaching all he knew about farming. Raising pigs was part of the farming experience he shared with his son and granddaughters. He enjoyed seeing the smile on their faces no matter if they came out with a ribbon or not. Jim had an enormous love for basketball. He played for many years throughout his childhood. His love for basketball bled to his daughter, where he was so proud of her for following him with the ball game he enjoyed so much. Farming, show stock, and basketball does not compare to the love he had for his children and grandchildren. He never missed a ball game, school play, or awards program. Jim was right there cheering everyone on and was their biggest cheerleader in the crowd. He was so proud of his family that he worked so hard to create. He was even coined the term “man-nanny” because of the role of helping raise his granddaughters. Thus, being a huge testament of love for his family. Jim was such a happy, carefree soul. He was always the peacemaker. He always wanted happiness among all. Nothing can replace the man that we all know and love. Jim’s family finds comfort knowing that he is finally at peace, pain free and happy.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years, Mary Eglen; daughter, Melanie (Deborah) Bradley; son, Jonathan (Staci) Eglen; grandchildren, Kaelen (Dylan) Davis and Kylie (Elijah Baumgardner) Eglen; sister, Linda Sue Rose; mother-in-law, Ida Mae Stahl; sisters-in-law, Laura Eglen, Connie Johnston, Nancy (Bill Thomas) Stahl and Linda (David) Dye; a great grandson due in June 2025; and his two fur babies, Piper and Lucky. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: granddaughter, Kinzie Nichole Eglen; brother, R. Danny Eglen; and father-in-law, Albert Stahl.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes, 419 North Chestnut Street, Seymour, Indiana, on Friday, January 24, at 5:00 p.m. A visitation for Jim will also be on Friday, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m..
The family requests memorial donations be made in Jim’s memory to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department K9 Control Center, St. Paul Lutheran Church-Borchers, or to Jim’s family to help cover themedical expenses.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Scotty Wessel and Jon Pace at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes in Seymour.
Memories and condolences can be shared and flowers ordered at www.BurkholderFuneralChapel.com.
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