James Leo "Jim" Fuelle

Jim Fuelle

April 19, 1935-February 26, 2023

James Leo “Jim” Fuelle, 87, of Terre Haute, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Jim and his identical twin and best friend John “Jack” were born April 19, 1935 in Teutopolis, Illinois to Virgil and Olive (Grunloh) Fuelle.

Jim attended Indiana State Teachers College (ISU) on a basketball scholarship where he earned both a bachelor's and master’s degree in education.

On June 14, 1958, Jim married Joan Arbuckle. They are the parents of Susan Fuelle Tingley (Michael), Kathy Fuelle, Mary Fuelle, Danny Fuelle (Bonnie), and Tom Fuelle (Brenda).

He taught industrial arts and drafting for 35 years while also coaching tennis, basketball, and football.  He taught at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, Schulte High School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Terre Haute, Indiana where he was a beloved educator.

On March 20, 1976, Jim married Mary Ann Darbutt Hall. With this union, five more children would come to call him “Daddy Jim”: Donna McDaniel (Steve), Christina Noel (Jeff), Mary Schend (John), Ron Hall (Karen), and Mike Hall (Raylen).  Jim and Mary Ann are the parents of Olivia Goulding (Jared), the “ours” in this “Yours, Mine and Ours” family.

He was a devout member of the Catholic Church. He attended St. Francis parish in Teutopolis, Illinois,  and was a long-time member of St. Ann and St. Margaret Mary parishes in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sister Sue Hoelscher (Frank), brother-in-law David Darbutt, all those who called him dad, 23 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Mary, grandson Nick Steiner (Jessica), twin brother Jack (Sheila), sister Marilyn Meyer, brothers-in-law Fred Meyer, Frank Hoelscher, Joe Darbutt, sister-in-law Katie Oxendine, and far too many dear friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 4, 2023 at St. Margaret Mary Church from 10:00am-12:00pm with a funeral mass immediately following.

The family would like to thank the staff of Southwood Health Center and Elara Caring Hospice for the outstanding care they gave Jim and continue to give Mary Ann.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Jim’s life of selfless service by doing something good for someone else.