James E. Pankey “Jim”, 81, of Loogootee

James E. Pankey “Jim”, 81, of Loogootee, Indiana passed away at 7:59 a.m. Monday May 8, 2023, at Poplar Care Strategies. 

He was born March 8, 1942, in Linton, Indiana to the late Russell W. and Virginia Rose (Haffley) Pankey. Jim married Kathryn Waynette Fish “Waynette” on September 15, 1962, at St. John Catholic Church.

While being a resident of Loogootee, Jim worked for the Martin County Jail as the Jail Commander for 20 years after which he retired. Prior to his service as Jail Commander, He worked for several years for the local ambulance service. Previously to this, Jim worked 30 years throughout the United States, Africa, and Puerto Rico building telephone and cable television systems. In 1993 while employed by Harris McBurney Construction he was the honored recipient of the “Employee of the Year” award. Jim was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Virginia Pankey; brother, Patrick L. Pankey; sisters, Luanna Kay Pankey and Sherry Pankey Vogler; nephew, John R. Pankey; niece Mandy Pankey, niece, Debbie Fields; great-niece, Brianna Varela. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Waynette Pankey of Loogootee; son, James D. Pankey of Evansville; grandson, Thomas R. and (Sam) Pankey; two great-granddaughters, Violet and Maeve Pankey; brother, Russel “Tick” Pankey; lifelong friend, Charlie Duffroy; brothers-in-law, William (Janet) Burch and Sylvester (Connie) Vogler; sisters-in-law, Judy Pankey and Dianne Pankey Franklin; niece, Kimberly Varela, Karen (Joe) Sherfick; nephew, Michael L. Pankey; and many nieces and nephews on his wife’s side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. 

Visitation will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for masses or the Martin County Humane Society.