James M. “Jim” Matheis, 72, of Jasper, passed away at 7:27 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

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Jim was born in Huntingburg on March 10, 1947, to Bernard P. and Hannah L. (Kays) Matheis.

He married Wanda Ernst on March 29, 1974, in Jasper.

Jim graduated from Jasper High in 1965 and worked at the Jasper Corporation from 1965 until 1968, when he went to work as a policeman for the Jasper City Police Department. He was a firearms instructor for the police department and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He retired from the Jasper Police Department in 1988 and then worked for Jasper Rubber as a pressline manager from 1988 until he retired from there in 2010.

He was a U.S. Army Reservist. He completed basic training in 1967 and was a MPC (Military Policeman) until his honorable discharge in 1972.

He attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper.

He enjoyed horseback riding, particularly cross country trail riding. He was the president of the Dubois County Saddle Club for many years, and a 4-H leader for the Horse and Pony Club. He was instrumental in helping to start the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, and enjoyed camping, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Wanda Matheis of Jasper; three sons; Chris Matheis (Michele), South Bend, Greg Matheis (Connie), Jasper, and Jeff Matheis of Jasper; five grandchildren, James, Madison, Megan, Kennedy, and Carson Matheis, four sisters; Connie Pearson (Richard), New Albany, Sarah Hopf (Tom), Jasper, Jackie Lampert (Mike), Jasper, and Mary Klingel (Bob), Ireland.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Funeral services for James M. “Jim” Matheis will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper, with entombment to follow in Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum in Jasper. The American Legion Post 147 will conduct military gravesite rites.

A visitation will be held from 2 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.