James Henry Broadbent,95, of Elkhart passed away on September 15, 2023 at Greenleaf Health Campus. He was born June 13,1928 in Elkhart, Indiana, where he was a lifelong resident. He was the son of Edwin and Pietertje "Nelly" (VanderVoort) Broadbent.
He married his college sweetheart, Ann Adele Stookey in 1954. She preceded him in death in 2020.
Surviving are their children, Rebecca (Kurt) O'Connor & James (Laura) Broadbent of Carmel, IN; Priscilla (Jim) Roth of Winfield, IL and Betsy (Richard) Delks of Elkhart. He is also survived by grandchildren Ryan and Jamie (Ashley) O'Connor; Kristen, Nick and Josh Broadbent; Sarah and Will Roth; and Emily, Allison and Adam Delks; along with one great granddaughter Riley O'Connor. Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, William, Peter and Bernard; and sisters Marie Case, Marjorie Calloway and Patricia Bickart.
He was a graduate of Elkhart High School in 1946, Ball State University, BA ('50), Western Michigan, Master's in Education (‘68) and PHD, The Ohio State University ('73). He served as a Sergeant in the US Army from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed in Korea. After returning from the war, he began his career in education at Pierre Moran Junior High and Elkhart High School teaching industrial arts. He served as the Director of Vocational and Continuing Education at the Elkhart Area Career Center for 20 years. He assumed the position one year after the opening of the Career Center.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman and in his younger years loved hunting, fishing and camping. He took the family of six camping around the US, Canada and Mexico. He spent his retirement traveling the globe with his wife. Jim always had a huge garden and was a craftsman woodworker. He was beloved by his grandchildren as their fun- loving and creative "Hoppo".
A family service will be held at Rice Cemetery on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Memorials may be given to The Indiana Parkinson's Foundation or charity of donor's choice.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Dr. James Henry Broadbent, please visit our floral store.