James William Gries

It is with heartfelt love and sorrow, we announce the death of James William Gries at the age of 80 on March 26, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Irene (Spindler) Gries.  Jim is survived by his spouse of 56 years, Mary Sue Will (Susie); his children Jason Wayne Gries (Jody) of Nashville, TN and Amy Suzanne Cooney (Patrick) of Indianapolis, IN; siblings Rita Smith (Fred) of Fort Branch, IN, Donald Gries (Donna) of Fort Branch, IN, and Larry Gries (Jackie) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren Conner, Brayden, Spencer, Avery, Ian, and Addison Gries; Jackson, Madeline, and Samuel Beebe; Riley and Connor Cooney.

Jim was a member of the Army Reserves. He graduated from Barber School in Madisonville, KY. Jim was the grandkids “favorite” barber because he paid them to get their hair cut. Jim was an avid fisherman that gathered his family around with his fish fries. He was a beloved Papaw and uncle who has passed down his love of hunting and fishing. Jim was a staunch Purdue and Cincinnati Reds fan. He was a man who never met anything he could not fix or a person he could not talk to.

Jim retired from UPS after 30 years of safe driving. He was a man of faith who was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Knights of St. John. Jim enjoyed being a church usher and working at chicken dinners.

On Friday, March 31st, Jim’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 10:00 am followed by a bereavement dinner at Holy Cross Cafeteria. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 30, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a rosary service performed at 3:30 p.m. by Father Gary Kaiser and the Knights of St. John. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery following mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Holy Cross Catholic Church. Expressions of sympathy can be made at stodghillfuneralhome.com.

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