Jessica L. James, 73, of rural Ossian, passed away Tuesday morning, April 14, 2026, at IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.

Jessica was born in Bethesda, MD, on June 11, 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold A. and Blanche A. (Arnold) Perry. She married Harold L. James in Bluffton on December 21, 1973; he survives.

Jessica attended Southern Wells High School and worked at Franklin Electric in Bluffton for over 40 years until retiring. She loved her flowers and gardening and taking care of her roses. Everyone who knew Jessica knew that she was inseparable from her sister, Jackie, as they did everything together. Jessica not only loved spending time with her sister, but they especially enjoyed shopping together.

Her willingness to help anyone in need will be how Jessica will be remembered. She wasn’t one to sit around and wait for people to ask for her help but rather seek out anyone who could use her financial help or just a helping hand, which even included the occasional construction project.

In addition to her husband of over 50 years, Jessica is survived by a son, David Barger of Bluffton; two daughters, Lisa (Shawn) Huffman of Bluffton and Danielle (Nick) Gaylord of Meridianville, AL; four grandchildren, Elisha Heaton, Brandon Gaylord, Adriana Huffman, and Taylor Huffman; a sister, Jackie Young of Roanoke; and two brothers, Jeff Newman of Poneto and Jerome Newman of Montpelier.

Aside from her parents, Jessica was preceded in death by her birth father, Jesse Newman, and a brother, Jason Newman.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 2:30 PM, at Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home in Bluffton, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 PM. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton.

Memorial contributions may be made to an organization that Jessica financially supported for many years, Jews for Jesus.