James H. “Jim” Rader of Franklin, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at the Indiana Masonic Home at Compass Park in Franklin, Indiana. He was 79 years old.
He was born Sept. 14, 1941, in Warwick, N.Y., to Andrew Jackson Rader and Esther Marie (Sherman) Rader.
He married Sheila (Smith) Rader on May 30, 1964, in Chili, Indiana.
He was a 1959 graduate of Warwick Valley High School and a 1964 graduate of Purdue University.
He was employed by Indiana Bell - later to become AT&T - from 1964 until his retirement in 1989, having started in Indianapolis and moving to multiple communities around Indiana, as well as New York City.
He had been a member of the Boy Scouts of America and earned the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.
He also was a volunteer for the Junior Achievement association, a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana, and a charter member of St Mark’s United Methodist Church in Carmel, Indiana.
Jim was a Rotarian and was a member of the Optimist Club. He was a Master Swimmer where he competed in the World Meet at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.
Survivors include his wife Sheila (Smith) Rader of Franklin, Indiana; his children: Leigh Buse (JB) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jill Beavins of Franklin Indiana, Christopher Rader (Sara) of Indianapolis and Andrew Rader (Kat) of Ellettsville, Indiana: grandchildren Michael, Connor and Patrick Judd and Emma and Ellie Beavins; and his sister Ruth Rader of Fishers, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Joel Beavins and granddaughter Morgan Judd.
Due to the current COVID-19 circumstances, the family has changed to have a celebration of life service in the spring of 2021.
Inurnment took place at the columbarium at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin.
The family request in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN, 46240 (www.alz.org).
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.
For further information at 317-738-0202.