James "Jim" Patrick Shaw

James (Jim) Patrick Shaw, 82 years old, of South Bend, IN, passed away on Friday morning, March 20th, 2026, in South Bend, IN. Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 29, 1943, to Ronald Joseph Shaw and Dorothy Jane Shaw (O’Brien).

 Jim was the oldest of four boys (his brothers are Mike, Peter, and John). He grew up in Detroit and spent summers in Canada with his family on Lake Huron; his father was from Canada. He attended University of Detroit High School but graduated from Assumption High School in Windsor, Ontario. He attended Xavier University and, while there, met Jean Lieser, his wife, who was studying nursing at Mount St. Joseph College.

 Jim entered the army in 1967 and served at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. While there, he taught mountaineering and winter warfare. He married Jean Lieser on August 17, 1968. Jim was released from the army in 1970 at which point he moved to Lansing, MI. In 1973, Jim and Jean moved to South Bend, IN. Jim and Jean had four children, Brian, David, Kathy, and Timothy.

 Jim worked for several years in real estate in South Bend before he took the job of director of transportation for the South Bend Community School Corporation. There, he organized and supervised the bus routes that brought children to and from public schools in South Bend. One of the perks for his children was to be among the first to know if school was canceled, due to snow, as it was Jim’s job to determine this for the School Corporation. Jim also worked for a time in financial investments after his time with the School Corporation.

Jim, along with his wife Jean, was a faithful member of the Catholic Church as well as the People of Praise community (an ecumenical, charismatic, covenanted, Christian community). For the last 30 years or so, Jim and Jean were active members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lakeville, IN. Jim had served the parish as a lector, as a eucharistic minister, and as both a member and chair of the Parish Council.

 Jim was a handyman. He often re-built the interior of his houses, doing the electrical, framing and sheetrock himself or with the help of others. Jim loved the outdoors and took his family on many camping trips. He loved animals and for 36 years lived on a hobby farm, raising rabbits, chickens, sheep, cows, and horses. He and Jean loved playing cards with friends. Jim was quick to help friends and family. He and his wife Jean spent 6 months serving those in need in Chimbote, Peru, after he had retired.

 Jim is preceded in life by his brother John. He is survived by his wife Jean and his four children; his three grandchildren Aidan, Wyatt, and Evelyn; his brothers, Mike and Peter, and many nieces and nephews.

 A wake service will be held at 7:00pm on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the People of Praise Center, 53666 N. Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1pm on Saturday, March 28th at St. Jude Catholic Church,19704 Johnson Road, South Bend, IN. with the Rosary being prayed at 12:15pm.  Friends may visit the family beginning at 11:30 am at the church. There will be a luncheon immediately following the Mass at St. Jude.   The Graveside service will be held at 3:45pm at Mt. Calvary, next to Sacred Heart Church, 63568 US 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614.

Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel has the honor of assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the Shaw family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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