James "Jim" Thurman Shrum, 75, of Bargersville, IN passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 with his family by his side.

He was born January 16, 1951 in Indianapolis, IN and was raised and lived in the Dog Patch area of Perry Township.

Jim was a 1969 graduate of Southport High School and received his associate's degree from IVY TECH in business in Indianapolis, IN.

He was a United States Army Veteran and a true patriot.

Jim retired from Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) in 2018 after 45 years of service retiring as an overhead lineman.

He was a member of Crosspointe Community Church in Greenwood, IN where he and his wife Debbie served as greeters on Sunday morning's, assisting in the maintenance and security at the church. He was also a member of the Capital City Conservation Club near Trafalgar and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Jim loved his Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and would study his Bible faithfully at 6AM every morning. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and was a skydiver parachuter.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family especially his twelve grandkids who were his pride and joy.

Jim and Debbie had a wonderful life and enjoyed being together.  They loved to travel the world together.

He married his high school sweetheart Deborah L. "Debbie" (West) Shrum on October 9, 1975 in Indianapolis, IN having loved her fiercely and celebrated 50 years of marriage with their family on October 9, 2025, she survives.  Also surviving are his children Jamie Spitler (Kevin) of Greenwood, IN, Robert Shrum (Kim) of Martinsville, IN, Bradley Shrum (Jodie) of Indianapolis, IN and Kristi Emmett (John) of Greenwood, IN, twelve grandchildren Braden Shrum, Kailyn Spitler, Brinley Shrum, Lucas Spitler, Brenden Shrum, Bryce Shrum, Emerson Spitler, Jack Emmett, Addison Shrum, Wren Shrum, Dean Emmett and Kit Shrum, brothers John Shrum of Indianapolis and Tony Shrum of Greefield, several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Thurman Alexander Shrum, his mother Margaret Evelyn (Day) Wilson, a brother Dave Shrum and sisters Sharon Grow and Karen Green.

Pastor Joe Bartemus will conduct a service on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 3PM at Crosspointe Community Church, 1222 Demaree Road in Greenwood, IN 46143 with military honors to follow being conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard and will be live-streamed at www.gocrosspointe.com . Visitation will be Friday, January 30, 2026 from 1PM until service time at the church.

A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2:30PM at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 1977 South State Road 135 in Greenwood, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for Glioblastoma Treatment and Research to the Glioblastoma Foundation at https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.