James "Jim" Kenneth Herndon, 85, of Bluffton, passed away Thursday evening, September 27, 2012, at River Terrace Estates in Bluffton. Born on September 20, 1927, in Huntington County, IN, to Elijah J. and Mary L. (Holmes) Herndon, he married Rita E. Geis in Decatur, IN, on March 26, 1949. Rita preceded him in death on February 17, 1966. Jim then married Miriam J. (Ginter) Sommer in Decatur on March 4, 1967; she preceded him in death on April 29, 1996. On July 12, 1997, in Bluffton, Jim married Lela K. (Minger) Claghorn, she survives. A 1947 graduate of East Union High School, Jim was in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He retired from International Harvester as a machinist and also worked locally for Lin's Lock and Key. He was a member of Bethel Church, along with being a member of the Union Township Lion's Club, American Legion Post 468 of Berne, IN, and the Decatur Coin Club. Jim was also an avid wood-worker. Additional survivors include two sons, Daniel P. (Susan) Herndon of Roanoke, and Leslie K. (Mary) Herndon of Ossian; Rita's two sons, Stanley A. Smitley of Yoder, and Gerald L. Smitley of Fort Wayne; Lela's four sons, Alan K. (Karey) Claghorn of Milo, IA, Ted M. (JoAnn) Claghorn of Bluffton, G. Brian Claghorn of Shirley, IN, and Bradley W. (Victoria) Claghorn of Bellbrook, OH; Lela's Daughter, Jean A. (Jon) Shepheard of Wasilla, AK; Lela's daughter-in-law, Sandra S. Claghorn of Chesterfield, IN; 24 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Jim was also preceded in death by a son, Gary Keith Herndon; a daughter, Juanita J. Gleason; four brothers, Glenn, Virgil, Garl, and Carl Herndon; two sisters, Ruby Mulles and Bernice Cormany; Rita's daughter, Sylvia Bohnke; and Lela's son, John J. Claghorn. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 2, 2012, from 2 until 8 p.m. at Goodwin Memorial Chapel, 3220 E. St. Rd. 124, Bluffton, IN. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Lloyd Harlan officiating. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be given to Bethel Church of Bluffton.