Jim Yurs, 81

James D. Yurs, 81, of Shipshewana, Ind., and formerly of Howe, Ind., died Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.

 James was born on April 27, 1930, in Elgin, Ill., and was raised on a farm operated by his parents, Donald L. and Juanita C. Yurs.

 Jim, along with his wife, owned and operated several Motels in Colorado, Michigan and Indiana. He moved to the Shipshewana area in 1986 from Three Rivers. He was a member of Lima Presbyterian Church and a former member of Howe Lions Club, Colorado and Michigan Hotel/Motel Associations, Chamber of Commerce and Elks Club of Three Rivers.

 On Sept. 20, 1952, he married Barbara A Boe in Elgin, Ill. She survives in Shipshewana. Also surviving are a daughter, Jennifer J. (Michael) Snyder of Sturgis; sons Jeffery James (Donna) Yurs of Elgin and Jay Donald Yurs of Roscoe, Ill.; five grandchildren, Justin and Jenna Yurs of Elgin, Katie Snyder (Bret) Hamlin, of Sturgis, James J. and Kayla D. Yurs of Roscoe; and a great-grandchild, Addison R. of Roscoe. Jim is also survived by three sisters, Donna (William) Rees, Joanne Burnidge, and Joyce McNutt, all of Elgin; and two brothers-in-law, Robert G. (Lillian) Boe of Durango, Colo., and George W. Boe III of Pearland, Texas.

 Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Frurip-May Funeral Home, 309 W. Michigan St.,

LaGrange, Ind. The Rev. Daniel Engber and Elder Jerry Stanner will officiate. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Howe, Ind.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

 Memorials may be contributed to the ARK Animal Rescue & Adoption Inc. or the Lima Presbyterian Church of Howe.