James A. DeBoni, 89, of Elkhart, died Friday, June 19, 2015 at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community. James was born in Holland, Michigan, on Sept 24, 1925, the son of Jacob DeBoni and Marie (Thar) DeBoni. On October 12, 1948, he married Frances Grandstaff in Lafayette, Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Frances DeBoni; his son, Thomas (Micheline LeBlanc) DeBoni, Ft. Myers, Florida; and his daughters, Dianne (Lee) Heyde, Warsaw, Indiana; Sarah (Tom) Misener, Elkhart, Indiana; Patricia (Radamee) Orlandi, Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Julie (Bradley) Newhouse, Ithaca, New York; eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren; and sister, Barbara Cloud, Elkhart. He was preceded in death by a sister, Theresa DeBoni and a brother, Lawrence M. DeBoni. James proudly served in the US Army from 1943 to 1945, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He remained in the reserves until being activated in the US Air Force, and served in Korea as a Navigator-Bombardier until 1952. James worked since his youth at DeBoni's Neighborhood Bakery; the bakery was established by his father. After his military service, he operated the bakery in partnership with his parents until they retired, and then managed and operated it himself until his retirement in 1985. After retirement he moved to Fort Myers, FL where he lived until 2014, when he moved to Hubbard Hill Retirement Community. He was an avid pilot, an expert baker, and a master cake decorator. He exemplified the abilities and drives of the son of immigrants, the wish to succeed and take full advantages of the opportunities afforded by the USA. He lived a full, honest life, contributed to his community, raised a family, and retired with grace after a 50-year career in his home town. His values and attitudes were taught by example to the many young people who worked at DeBoni's Bakery, and have become the standards by which we who knew him measure our own lives Friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home and for an hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 25, 2015 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Father Zak Barry officiating. Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545.