James Douglas Dalton

James Douglas Dalton, 88, of Westfield, Indiana died in his sleep on Monday, April 8, 2024 after a long health struggle. Known to loved ones as Jim, he was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 4, 1935 to Claude and Vada Dalton and was one of seven children.

He married his love, Nancy Griffiths, on January 21, 1956 in Mequon, Wisconsin. Together they had four children: Deborah, Douglas, Julia, and Susan.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and his daughter, Debbie Bird.

He leaves behind his wife Nancy, three children: Douglas (Paula) Dalton, Julie Dalton, Sue (Phil) Mercer, seven grandchildren: Jim (Dani) Bird, Andy Bird, Theron Dalton, Caleb (Brittany) Mercer, Allyson (Dan) Martin, Josiah Mercer, and Jessica (Alex) Rockhold, and eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren: Lillian and Declan Bird, Oliver, Juniper, and Rosemary Bird, Jeremiah Mercer, and Gideon, Saffron, and Baby Martin.

Most important to Jim was his faith in Jesus Christ and devotion to his family. No matter where he lived, he was always actively involved in serving his church and participating in choir and musical performances. During his long life Jim inspired and blessed many others with his love of music. From a young age he was a self-taught piano player and, by the time he was a teenager, he played the organ during worship at his church. He continued this service until recent months. He frequently played piano and keyboard to entertain residents of senior care facilities blessing countless numbers of people. He also passed down his love and skill for music through the generations in his family and it will be an enduring legacy.

When Jim was just 16 years old he began working at a grocery store, never realizing it would become a life-long career. While in the U.S. Army he served as a meat buyer and inspector. Eventually he became an entrepreneur as an independent grocer in Indianapolis.  

During his leisure time his greatest joys were gardening and travel. The love of gardening originated with his mother and has been passed on to two of his daughters. He was most passionate about flowers and tomatoes! He even started a small garden in his retirement community – spreading the joy and sharing the fruit of his labor with the other residents. Travel was always a part of his family life, making sure they had plenty of time visiting extended family in other states. He also took the family on summer vacations and camping trips to different parts of the country, building memories and life experiences. After retirement he and Nancy continued their adventures even up to the last few years.

While he’s gone now from our midst, here on Earth, he has helped us build a lifetime of memories. But we have the hope for our future reunion with him in eternity with the Lord, our God.