James G. Bovard

James Grant Bovard, age 90, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2017 at Wittenberg Lutheran Village. Jim was born on 10/16/1927 in Indianapolis, IN to Vinson and Ethel Bovard. He graduated from Arsenol Technical High School and then attended Butler University for 1 and 1/2 years. Jim was drafted into the Army and, after serving his duty, went on to his beloved Indiana University, graduating in 1951. Jim then began his career as a History teacher at Merrillville High School. It was there that Jim met the love of his life, Grace, whom he married in 1952. Jim served the Merrillville school system for 37 years, as a teacher and principal at Merrillville High School. He spent his career making a difference to hundreds of students, encouraging them to pursue their education and their passions toward successful lives. Even after his retirement in 1988, he kept in consistent contact with graduates by attending reunion picnics, breakfasts and class trips. They were his "kids" and he never stopped supporting them. He felt their love and support in return. Jim was preceded in death by his wife- Grace (Garmong) Bovard; his parents- Vinson and Ethel Bovard; sister- Nancy Newman and brothers-in-law- John, Richard and Charles Garmong. Jim is survived by his brother-in-law- Wayne Newman; nieces- Kathryn (Gary) Seibert, Carol (Bill) Fouty, Janet (Rob) Canary, Janice (Lee) Shirer; nephew- Rick (Gloria) Garmong and special great-nephew Troy (Mari) Shirer, along with numerous other great and great-great nieces and nephews all around the country. Even as the family grew, Jim never forgot a birthday. Jim would also count all his "former students" as surviving family as well. Jim was a man who valued faith, family and his country. He was a life-long Indiana Hoosiers fan. He loved to travel, to read, to always continue to learn. Even when he lost his eye sight in his later years, it didn't keep him from enjoying books on tape or engaging anyone in conversation to learn about them and what they were doing. He loved history and exploring family ancestry. In the last years of his life, Jim became a member of the Wittenberg Lutheran Village community. He found old and new friends there and became a favorite among all levels of the Wittenberg staff. He was treated like family and felt the same about everyone there. Friends may visit with Jim’s family on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point from 2 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov 2, 2017 at Wittenberg Chapel, 1200 E. Luther Dr., Crown Point IN 46307. Visitation at 10 a.m. with funeral service beginning at 11a.m. Rev. Corey Wielert officiating. Interment Prairie Vine Cemetery, Morocco, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations in Jim's memory to Wittenberg Village, 1200 E. Luther Dr., Crown Point IN.www.burnsfuneral.com

James G. Bovard

October 16, 1927 - October 26, 2017