James Milton Vigansky

MISHAWAKA formally BUCHANAN

James (Jim) Milton Vigansky, 68, of Mishawaka, Indiana passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026 at the Center for Hospice Care, Ernestine M. Raclin House. Jim lost his long and difficult battle due to complications with Parkinson’s Disease. Jim never complained through his fight, keeping a positive attitude never losing his childhood smile.

Jim graduated from Buchanan High School, Buchanan, Michigan in 1976 where he was born and raised with his loving family. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force working in the transportation field where he became qualified to drive many different military vehicles. Jim served his country for six years from 1976 – 1982 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, and Tacoma, Washington Military Radar Site. After his Air Force service, Jim returned home to Buchanan, Michigan holding various jobs in the trucking and logistics fields.  Jim was a disabled veteran and proud of his service. He made lifelong friends while in the Air Force, keeping in touch with many of them over the years.    

Jim loved and was proud of his three children, Adam, Alex, and Amanda. Jim also took an interest in amateur photography while stationed in Germany, Washington State, and Buchanan. He loved the outdoors and loved capturing nature on film while hiking and going on walks. Anyone who knew Jim knows he was an avid sports fan of his beloved Michigan State Spartans, Seatle Seahawks, and the Milwaukee Brewers, brew crew.

In his later years, Jim came to love golf and at times would say, “but it doesn’t love me”. He truly cherished the game, his golf buddies, and his league golf outings with his friends. His favorite course was Garver Lake Golf Course in Edwardsburg. Jim also loved and cherished his cats, most recently Iggy and Gidget who kept him company and had him either smiling or shaking his head.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Adam, Jim’s parents Milton Nye and Darlene Dione (Durbin) Vigansky, his brothers, Richard (Dick) (Renee surviving) Vigansky and David (Roger Minx surviving) Vigansky. Jim was also preceded in death by his grandparents Charles E. (Bert) and Margarite Fowler, who he loved so dearly.

Jim is survived by his children Alexander Vigansky, Amanda Vigansky (Joey Allen), his grandson Cooper (Coop) Vigansky, siblings, Christine (Leslie) Vigansky, Chuck (Sonia) Vigansky, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived by his dear and loyal friend, Brenda, who he has known since elementary school.

Jim’s remains were cremated as per his wishes. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

A special thank you to Jim’s team of doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital and the Ernestine M. Raclin house who provided the best and most compassionate care possible.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Jim may do so to the American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka, or the Saint Joseph County Humane Society, Mishawaka.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Palmer Funeral Home, Bubb Chapel.  Please visit https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/bubb-chapel to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, and to share memories and pictures with Jim’s family.