James David Housley

James David Housley, 65, of Bremen passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Bremen Community Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Dave was born May 29, 1949 in Lucedale, Mississippi to Grady and Dorothy (Carter) Housley. On March 15, 1969 he married Pamela Jean Cox who preceded him in death.

There is a line from a popular song that asks, "How do you measure the life of a man?" In Dave's case it is the love he leaves behind. The love he shared with "his Pam", the love he shared with his daughters, with his grandchildren, and with his family and friends. Dave's life will be measured through his kindness, his intelligence, his sense of humor and of course, his resilience. Throughout the past nine years, Dave never let adversity knock him down. Throughout his illness and his wife's illness, he always maintained his optimism and love of life. This is how those who loved Dave will measure his life. Dave graduated from Bremen High School in 1968, and worked in many different and diverse jobs. Dave was employed by Dodge Manufacturing in Mishawaka, IN, beginning as a laborer in the foundry and working his way into a supervisory position. After retiring from Dodge's, he worked at Bremen Castings and later at Monaco Coach in Wakarusa, IN. Dave enjoyed an active and full lifestyle. He swam, played golf, rode bikes, and at one point, he even taught an aerobics class at a local studio. He and his wife loved to travel, and they were active members of Amarillo Star, a line-dancing club. Dave also enjoyed playing cards and traveling to Las Vegas. He was an animal lover, and most recently lost his beloved basset hound, Pokey. Most of all he cherished his family and friends, especially his two beautiful daughters, Mindy and Missy, his sons-in-law, David and Joel, and the "apples" of his eye, his grandchildren: Trevor, Mitchell, Connor, Gabby and Brady. He was so very proud of each one, and he enjoyed telling visitors stories of all their accomplishments. In 2011 the love of his life was taken from him far too early by a cruel disease. Until then, he and Pam enjoyed almost 43 years of marriage and shared a love that most can only dream about. She was truly his one true love and we can rejoice that they are finally together again, and the wheelchair is nowhere to be seen.

Survivors include Dave's two daughters, Mindy (David) Thompson of Bremen and Marissa (Joel) Reinholtz of Osceola; five grandchildren: Trevor Waldman of Fort Wayne, Mitchell Newman, Connor Newman, Gabby Reinholtz and Brady Reinholtz of Osceola; step-grandchildren: Tera Schumacher and Myron Thompson of Peru, IN, Rhiannan Thompson and Paige Thompson, of Bremen, and great-step-grandson, Evan Schumacher of Peru, IN; two brothers: John (Cheryl) Housley of Bremen, and Dick (Cheryl) Housley of Goshen; four sisters: Evon (Ronnie) Miller of Purvis, MS, Louise Working of Bella Vista, AR, Shirley (Jim) Wallace of Bremen, Sue (George) Stangas of South Bend, and his late brother Doug's companion, Cathie Thompson of Bremen. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters-in-law: Mark Cox of Plymouth, Bill (Brenda) Cox, Jr., of Bremen, Frances Bope of Bremen, Mel (Jim) Cherrone of Bremen, and Barb Finney of Bourbon. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dave was blessed with many friends and neighbors who were more family than friends. Dave's family would like to acknowledge and to thank them for all their love and support: neighbors Richard and Mickey Grover, Mrs. Bev Snyder, James and Denise Lancaster and Mrs. Ruth Zellmer; caregivers, Tawana Robertson, Staci Hendricks, and Kelly Puckett. Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Pam, his parents, Grady and Dorothy Housley, his brother, Doug Housley, and his sister, Jean Thompson.

Friends may call from 4 ? 8PM on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at Mishler Funeral Home, and will be officiated by Pastor Evan Garber. Burial will follow at Bremen Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice.