James “Jim” Edwin Ellsberry, 77, of Lafayette, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Gulf Coast Memorial Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida.
He was born September 7, 1945, in Lafayette, Indiana, to the late George and Ellen Killin Ellsberry. He grew up in Lafayette across from Columbian Park and spent many hours there.
James graduated from Jefferson High School Class of 1963 and attended Purdue University.
He was an Army veteran. On June 3, 1967, he married Betty Korschot in Lafayette, and she survives.
James worked at Eli Lilly & Co Pharmaceutical Labs from 1973 to 2000. He was a member of Evangelical Covenant Church in Lafayette.
James enjoyed music and playing percussion in the High School Marching Band and other venues including church. He joyfully refurbished drum sets for beginning percussion students in his retirement. Also, one of his favorite subjects was The Civil War and he had visited most of the battlefields related to that era.
Surviving are Wife, Betty Jean Ellsberry of Lafayette, daughters Megan (Steven) McQueen, Erin (Chris) Carpenter, son Tim (Jenna) Ellsberry, and 10 grandchildren, Jacob, Ethan and Reagan McQueen, Annabelle, Nora, and George Carpenter, and Logan, Karter, Kaden, and Lauren Ellsberry. He is also survived by his sister Joyce Ellsberry Butterworth (Steve Delaney) and preceded in death by his sister Jane Keplinger.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, March 16 at Evangelical Covenant Church at 3600 South 9th St., Lafayette.
Service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Evangelical Covenant Church, 3600 South 9th St. Lafayette, Pastor Stacey Littlefield officiating. A Private interment will be at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, West Lafayette, IN.
If you so desire, memorial contributions may be made in James’ name to Evangelical Covenant Church or The American Heart Association.
You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com