James L. Clossin

April 2, 2017

James L. Clossin, 81, of Frankfort died at 1:21 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind.  Born March 27, 1936 in Frankfort, Ind., to Ernest & Ethel (True) Clossin.  He married Nancy J. Unroe on March 14, 1953 and she survives.

Jim was a 1955 graduate of Frankfort High School, attended elementary school at Kyger and was proud to be a “Kyger Kat”.  He was a lifelong Frankfort resident.  Jim retired in 1997 from the Norfolk & Southern Railroad (Nickel Plate) where he had worked for over 40 years.  Prior to the railroad, he worked for Ing-Rich for 2 years. As a child, Jim was a good athlete, much like his two older brothers. His athletic life ended when he suffered a compound fracture of his leg while pole vaulting. He enjoyed working for the railroad, except when it was cold. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the National Parks. He loved music—early on Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra or Willie Nelson but more recently Johnny Cash. He was a fan of history—especially anything to do with railroads, the Civil War or World War II. He loved to travel and drove his young family from Washington, D.C. to Florida to Niagara Falls to Gettysburg to Yosemite. He loved road trips–especially when he didn’t have to drive and could look out the window for Historical Markers. He liked maps and would invariably drag out the Road Atlas whenever someone mentioned a city or town they had visited. He enjoyed family vacations at the beach, both in North Carolina and Florida. He loved reading—two newspapers a day, magazines and stacks of library books. He enjoyed watching his kids, and later his grandchildren, when they played sports. He followed both IU and Butler basketball. He liked pancakes and biscuits & gravy. He liked playing golf, taking care of his lawn and feeding squirrels and the ducks at the city lagoons. When he was younger he liked Pabst Blue Ribbon, but more recently he preferred a bowl of popcorn. He really liked popcorn. And he was always there if his family needed him.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Goodwin Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 7th at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bunnell Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Frankfort Lagoons, c/o City Clerk/Treasurer, 301 E. Clinton, Frankfort, IN 46041 or Frankfort Community Public Library, 208 W. Clinton St., Frankfort, IN 46041.

Survived by:

Wife: Nancy J. Clossin of Frankfort, 3 Sons: Michael Clossin of Frankfort, William (Elizabeth) Clossin of Chattanooga, Tenn., and James “Pete” (Val) Clossin of Shakopee, Minn., 2 Daughters: Carol (Jeff) Coffman of Frankfort and Lisa (Mark) Sheets of Frankfort, 1 Brother: Joe (Nancy K.) Clossin of Frankfort, 1 Sister-in-Law: Mary Clossin of Lafayette, 6 Grandchildren, Mallory (Joe) Doyel of Indianapolis, Nicholas (Kate) Coffman of Philadelphia, PA, Tyler Coffman of Frankfort, Jay Sheets of Brooklyn, NY, Patrick Clossin of Manhattan, NY, and Jason Clossin of Shakopee, Minn., 1 Great Grandson, Rhodes Doyel and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceded by:

a brother, John Clossin and a grandson, J.T. Clossin.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

40 Condolences for “James L. Clossin”

  1. Butch & Eileen Huffer April 4, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Nancy and kids, so sorry for your loss, Jim was a great guy. Our prayers are with you.

  2. Barbie Minzel April 4, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    Thinking of your whole family. Remember all the good times you all had.

  3. Jan Kersey April 4, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    To the Clossin family, we were saddened to read about the passing of your husband and father. We know he was a great Dad and a very caring person. He will be missed, but memories will live on forever. Now NO pain and suffering. We are thinking of you during this time.
    Gary and Jan Kersey

  4. Martin & Carol Ann Henderson April 4, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    Thinking of you all… CA and Marty

  5. Graden Loveless April 4, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    So sorry to lose a classmate and golfing buddy. We were at Kyger together and also FHS. Will miss him.

  6. Dick and Mary Jane Stevens April 4, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    Nancy and Family: Sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. He was a dear friend and will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.

  7. Gary Retterbush April 4, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    My most sincere condolences to all! I remember many good times with Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  8. Richelle Lutz April 4, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Lisa, love you kiddo! Praying for the whole family!

  9. Gary & Shirley Mikesell April 4, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    To Lisa and Family,
    We were sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. He has received his healed and perfect body, with no more pain and suffering. It’s hard losing a parent. There is no shortcut to grieving; take it one day at a time, and remember the good times. Though we didn’t know him, it sounds like he was a wonderful man. And so thankful he was able to meet little Rhodes. You will be in our prayers and thought in the days and weeks to come.

  10. Kim wiles April 4, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    Lisa so sorry to hear about your dad. Your family are in my prayers. Kim Leach Wiles

  11. Gary April 4, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    So sorry for your loss Lisa. We love you all.

  12. Bob & Carol Rogers April 4, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    Dear Nancy & Family.
    This morning, Jim’s good friend and my brother David, told me about Jim passing away. So sorry to hear of it. I remember Jim lying beside the pole vault path that day with a huge bow in his thigh and not a tear on his face. Tough kid!

  13. Milton & Doris Douglass April 4, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    Nancy and Family: Please know that we are thinking of you at this sad time. Our prayers are with you all. May God Bless you..

  14. Ronda Walsh Schwab April 4, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    Love to you. Many fond memories with your family. May God bless you. Ronda Walsh Schwab

  15. Annette Carney April 4, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    Nancy just wanted to say sorry for Jim’s passing. Not sure if you remember me or not, we went to Roses Figure Salon together. Prayers for you and your family on these upcoming days💕

  16. David and Beverly Rogers April 4, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    Nancy and Family, Jim will be missed by all in our Hearts and our Lives Forever.

  17. Dick Rayles April 5, 2017 at 3:03 am

    Our prayers are with you. Jim was my friend and co worker on the railroad. Many fond memories together.

  18. Jeff, Judi Reecer April 5, 2017 at 8:05 am

    So sorry for your loss. Your in our thoughts and prayers

  19. Saundra Sheets April 5, 2017 at 9:05 am

    Your dad was a very nice and funny man. So sorry for your loss, love you all! Jon, Saundra, Rachael and Rabecka.

  20. Michael J Frey April 5, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Sad to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers with all the family. What a wonderful video tribute to a wonderful man.
    Michael J Frey

  21. Ted, Kristen, & Jacob Selm April 5, 2017 at 9:26 am

    We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you during this difficult time.

  22. Linda Gearheart Gilmore April 5, 2017 at 11:28 am

    Bill, Lisa, Carol and All of the Clossin Family,
    So sorry on the passing of your father. He has left you with beautiful memories. Prayers for comfort and peace. The Gilmore Family

  23. Cindy Ward Martinez April 5, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    May God watch over all of you during this very difficult time. You have so many people who love you and care about you and we want you to know if you need anything…just let us know! All my love, Cindy Ward Martinez

  24. Don Richardson April 5, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Mike, Carol & Jeff, Nancy: So sorry to hear about Jim today. I have only good memories of him when I was a kid. Good man, who raised great children.

  25. Pudge & Carolyn Kelly April 5, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    Nancy and Lisa, and all of the Clossin Family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Jim was a very special person who loved doing things for other people. I had the great privilege of going to Kyger grade school with him. He was a great guy. We will miss talking with him. Our deepest sympathy, with thoughts & prayers are with the Clossin Family.

  26. Lesa Moore April 5, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My Dad, Harry Shoemaker, was their neighbor for several years. When he was diagnosed with cancer, they went above and beyond to help us. They couldn’t have been sweeter and we will never forget that. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Brad and Lesa Moore

  27. Linda Gibson Benge April 5, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Oh my dear Nancy and ALL…my heart goes out to each of you. What a fine man…so generous and loving. He will be missed on earth, but what a Heavenly Welcome, I am sure! I remember as a teenager getting to know the Clossin family when I went to the beach….Roth Park…Indiana Beach….with the Norris family…such wonderful, happy memories. I’m sure there is a grand reunion going on in Heaven. Please know that we will keep you all uplifted in prayer. Love and hugs to each.

  28. Helen Vass April 6, 2017 at 12:04 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss Carol and family. You are in my prayers.

  29. Merci McQuern April 6, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Nancy, Lisa and family, So sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort in these times. Have missed you all ever since you moved from South CV Columbia, has never been the same.

    Marci Millikan-McQuern

  30. Cheri Smith April 6, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Bill, Carol, and Clossin family:
    So sorry for the loss of your father. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

  31. Barb Gerald April 6, 2017 at 10:19 pm

    Nancy, Mike, Carol, Bill, Lisa and Pete, and the rest of the family —
    I’m so sorry I didn’t make it back to town to see you all during the calling, but we’ve made a donation to the Lagoons in Jim’s name. I remember Jim fondly from my childhood, seeing you all next door at Nettie’s. He was quiet but when he spoke, you knew you needed to listen. What a great family he led, raising five of the finest. You’ll all continue to be in my prayers, asking the Lord to provide comfort and peace in the days ahead.
    Love and hugs to you all, Barb

  32. Tresa perlee April 6, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    God love him, god only takes the best may he R.I.P. prayers to his family & hugs

  33. Annette Reed April 7, 2017 at 7:29 am

    What a beautiful tribute! I’m so sorry Carol and Jeff! Thinking of you both.

  34. Jean Godby Jones April 7, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Jim was one of my classmates when I moved to Frankfort in the 7th grade. I do know about this journey thru the shadow of death. It’s not an easy road to travel, just know you are not alone. Love to you all.

  35. Cindy Weida Reeder April 7, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Dear Lisa,
    I was so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Your dad sounded like a real nice guy. Mom and my uncle when talking about the good old days would talk about your dad. God has a good railroader with him now and he is with his buddies having a good time. Peace be with you Jim and to Lisa and all of your family may God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Blessings to you all.
    Cindy

  36. Brenda Loveless April 7, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I am so sorry, Lisa, that we did not know about this in time to come to the viewing. Stevie just alerted us to his passing. Your father was an amazing person, and the Loveless family wants you to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do. I am just in shock because your dad seemed like he was 70, not 80! He had an amazing life, and I would bet that God told him “well done my good and faithful servant!!”

    Brenda Loveless & family

  37. Maura D’Andrea Felts April 7, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Dear friends-

    I was saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that your family will be included in my daily prayers in the difficult weeks to come.

    Blessings & Condolences-

    Maura D’Andrea Felts

  38. Carol and Kevin Hamilton April 7, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    Our love to you all. Sorry for your loss.

  39. Marsha (Norris) Tufano April 17, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    So sorry to hear about Jim. Nancy you are in my heart and prayers. Sitting here remembering the times you and my mom shared and thinking back about how wonderful your friendship was and that she would want me to give you “hugs” right now and I will when I see you this summer. Take care Nancy and know that I will be thinking about you and what you are going through right now.

  40. Ted Cripe April 20, 2017 at 9:09 am

    The Clossin Family,

    So sorry for your loss, always much respect for Jim. He was a great guy and good friend to our family. May he rest in peace, prayers go out to you all.

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