James S. Shepherd

James S. Shepherd, 72, died at 7:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 6, 2000, of apparent heart failure in the Emergency Room of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.  James lived at 12168 U.S. Hwy.6, Plymouth.  A resident of the Plymouth-LaPaz area for the past 14 years, James had come from Indianapolis and Bedford, Kentucky where he was born.

Born on January 3, 1928, he was the son of John and Correy Craig Shepherd.  He graduated from Trimble County, Kentucky, High School.

He served his country in the United States Airforce from 1948 to 1952.

James loved cars.  They were his life.  The faster the better.

A self-made man and a good provider for his family, he had no use for time clocks. He was self-employed for 21 years in his auto body shop in Indianapolis. An excellent mechanic,  he specialized in Corvette body repairs.  He built his own dragsters and raced the circuit until 1966.

James is survived by his lifelong friend and companion Nancy A. Shepherd and daughter, Sherry Lynn Christner, both of Plymouth. Three grandsons and a granddaughter also survive.  They are: Roger D., Alan R., and Adam J. Christner, and Leann Ream, all of Plymouth.

Brandon James Ream, a great-grandson and Kayla Nicole Ream, a great-granddaughter, all of Plymouth, together with a brother, John Shepherd of Jeffersonville, Indiana, also survive.

James was preceded in death by his parents and Roger Christner, his son-in-law.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 8, 2000, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

Funeral services will follow visitation at 3 p.m. in the funeral home.  Pastor Wallace Oyler of the Stoney Ridge Baptist Church, LaPaz, Ind., will officiate.

Military graveside honors by VFW Post 1162 will be accorded to James at New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.