James Virgil "Jim" Maines, a beloved father, grandfather, teacher, community servant and friend, died peacefully Tuesday, December 27, at Brookdale of Carmel.

He was born Feb. 20, 1943, in Lebanon, IN, a son of Cecil "Abe" and Velma Blanche Maines. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Harlan, on July 5, 1964. They are the parents of Suzi (Ernie) Boyett, and Tim (Allison) Maines, who survive.

He was a proud graduate of Lebanon High School, Class of 1961, and Indiana State University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He earned his Master's degree from Ball State University.

Jim was an industrial arts teacher at LHS for 35 years, also printing all of the corporation's programs and special informational work. He retired in 2002. During his early years of teaching, Jim, along with Roger Lochmueller and Jay Nieman, owned and operated LMN Roofing. In 1981, Jim and Shirley opened Maines Minute Print It in the basement of the former Lawler Building. Not too long after, they moved the operation to a larger location on North Meridian Street. They sold the business in 1996.

Jim was instrumental in developing the City of Lebanon's public access channel and operated it for many years, broadcasting council and board meetings. His legacy still broadcasts today.

He loved the camaraderie of riding his Goldwing with friends in and around Indiana and numerous other states, groups of teacher friends and snowmobiling in the U.P., Jim was a retired president of Mental Health America, Boone County, was active with the Lebanon 4 ^th of July Festival for many years and assisted countless community organizations with any projects he could.

An avid Colts fan, some of the happiest times, other than being with family, was attending Colts games with friends and family. Seeing them through good times and bad, Jim had owned season tickets since their initial 1984 Indianapolis season.

Surviving in addition to his wife and children, are grandchildren, Wyatt Boyett and Izabella "Bella" Maines, Cameron (Aleen) Boyett; great-grandchildren, Jace, Dawson and Jocelyn Boyett; brother, Cecil (Sandy) Maines; sister-in-law, Sherry Lutz; and Beth Bartlett, who always was "another daughter" in the Maines household.

The funeral will be Tuesday, January 3, at 11 a.m. at Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon, IN. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Monday, January 2, at the mortuary. In honor of Jim's passion for "his" Colts, please feel free to wear Colts attire to the visitation and funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Mental Health America, Boone County, 1122 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon, IN 46052, or the Lebanon Educational Foundation, Hattie B. Stokes Elementary, 1005 Hendricks Dr., Lebanon, IN 46052.