James Edward Stansbury

 James Edward Stansbury, age 59, of Elkhart, IN passed away with his family by his side on May 9, 2026, after a 3 year battle with cancer. Jim, the youngest of 6, was born on a snowy April 21, 1967 to Edward and Lois Stansbury in Mishawaka, IN.

Jim graduated from Community Baptist Christian School in 1985. He went on to earn a degree in business from Bob Jones University in 1990, and it was there he met the love of his life, Christy Sicko. They were married May 27, 1989 at Mountain View Bible Church in Dublin, New Hampshire, and have celebrated over 36 years of marriage. After college, Jim and Christy returned to Indiana, settling first in South Bend and then Elkhart. He spent the majority of his life working in the automotive sales industry, starting as a lot boy at the age of 15 and later owning his own car lot in Elkhart, IN.

Jimmy, as he is known by his family and friends, loved nothing more than spending time with those that he loved; from riding his bike til sunset with his childhood friends, to playing cornhole in the backyard with his boys. Jim loved all types of sports, and was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He loved to play cards, and enjoyed golfing with his boys and his friends. He also enjoyed testing his intellect against those that he was around; he was always up for a game of scrabble, Jeopardy, or chess. Above all, Jim was a devoted family man who loved spending time with family, and helping his family no matter the situation that he was in. He will be missed by all those that knew him.

Jim is survived by his wife Christy, their children Jacob Stansbury of Elkhart, IN., Isaac Stansbury of Elkhart, IN., Kyle Stansbury of Elkhart, IN, Eric Stansbury of Indianapolis, IN and David Stansbury of Elkhart, IN; his mother Lois Blachly of Mishawaka, IN; his siblings Jerry (Sonia) Stansbury of Middlebury, IN., Jean(Joe) Weldy of South Bend, IN., Diana (Joseph) Blount of South Bend., and Linda Ferro of Mishawaka, IN; his mother-in-law Barbara Sicko of Greenville SC., father-in-law Paul (Madeline) Sicko of Clifton Park NY., brother-in-law Nathan (Melissa) Sicko of Woodruff SC., along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his father Edward Stansbury and his sister Janice Kay Evans.

Because of Jimmy's love of sports and those that he was around, we want to remember him in a special way. If you have a Bears, Cubs, or Irish jersey, or a golf polo from a round that you played with him, we find it appropriate to remember him for the person that he was, and we ask that you wear these during the memorial service, as we celebrate a life that was well lived with joy.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 21st at Northside Baptist Church, 53198 CR 9, Elkhart, IN 46514 where a memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM Pastor Carl Henry will officiate. Jim will be laid to rest at Porter Rae Cemetery at Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, IN near his father. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to his family. Online condolences may be made to Jim's family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com Stemm- Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the Stansbury family.