James "Jim" T. Wolf

With deep love and sadness, we share that James Thomas Wolf, 89, of Danville, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born on December 27, 1936, in White Plains, New York to Henry Andrew Wolf and Frances Matilda Steinmetz Wolf. He spent his early years in the Bronx before his family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri during his junior year of high school, and later to Troy, Kansas where he graduated in a class of just 33 students — 22 boys and 11 girls. Those early experiences helped shape the steady, grounded man we all came to know and love.

After high school, Jim proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He completed boot camp in San Diego and attended ET School at Treasure Island. During his service, he was stationed aboard the USS Olmsted (APA-188) and served in Norfolk, Virginia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before receiving an honorable discharge in Brooklyn, New York.

After four years of service, Jim moved to Evansville, where his family was originally from, and began working for Faultless Castor Company. He later worked for Western Electric at Indiana Bell, where one of the operators he worked with told him he should meet her best friend, Carole Sue Gauer, and set-up a blind date. They were married on April 9, 1959, and together they shared 67 wonderful years filled with love, laughter, adventure, and unwavering devotion.

Together, Jim and Carole built a beautiful life, one that took them from Finley, North Dakota, to Indianapolis. Jim worked for Naval Avionics in Indianapolis before beginning a more than 30-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration at the Indianapolis airport.

Retirement never truly slowed Jim down. A hardworking man with a generous heart, he was always ready to stay busy and help where he was needed. Over the years he repaired mail-opening machines for OPEX in Indianapolis, worked at Bell & Howell, drove a school bus for Avon and Danville Schools, worked at Burger King in Avon, and later worked at Ivy Trace in Danville. He devoted countless hours to the organizations and people he cared about. He served as Commanding Officer and Chaplain of American Legion Post 118, led several horse clubs, regularly attended FAA retirees’ meetings, and served on a credit union board. Whether through his work, his service, or his everyday kindness, Jim touched many lives.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carole Sue Wolf; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mike Williams; grandsons Matt (Mandy) Cherry and Mikey Williams; granddaughter Caitie (Zae) Williams Wilson; four great-grandchildren, Zaidyn, McKinley, Weston, and Logan; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Nancy Gauer; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Jim’s favorite causes, the American Legion, local veterans’ programs, or a charity supporting military families and community service.