James C. Settle
October 27, 1929 ~ August 4, 2023
James C. Settle, of Columbus, passed away at Four Seasons Health Center on Friday, August 4, 2023. He was 93 years old. Jim was born October 27, 1929, in Bengal, Indiana to Clifford and Loretta Murray Settle. He was the oldest of four brothers. His brothers Donald, William and Charles proceeded him in death.
In 1949, Jim graduated from Columbus High School. Upon his graduation, Jim served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and always talked with pride about his time in the service. Jim married Claire Mae Smith on June 28, 1958. They had one son, Troy.
Jim retired from Cummins after a long and successful career. After retirement, Jim and Claire enjoyed travelling around in their RV.
Jim was a long-time member of Newbern United Methodist Church and was a 69-year member of the Hartsville Masonic Lodge #547 F & A.M. He was an active member of the Murat Shrine and the Bartholomew County Shrine Club where he was a past president and helped begin the Shriners cars in local parades.
Jim was an avid sports fan. In the early 1960s, Jim and his brothers raced hydroplane boats. At one time, Jim held the National Speed Record for 1-mile Straight A-way. Jim also enjoyed playing golf and supporting the Indiana Hoosiers.
Jim was proceeded in death by his wife, Claire; son, Troy; parents, and brothers. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and many great- nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Jim will be held at Jewell Rittman Funeral Home in Columbus. Visitation hours will be 4 pm-7 pm Thursday, August 10, 2023, with a masonic memorial service at 7 p.m., and 10 am-11 am Friday, August 11, 2023. The funeral service will follow Friday’s visitation hour at 11 am. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana or the Bartholomew County Shrine Club for Shrine Philanthropy.
You are invited to view his memorial video tribute and send a message of condolence to the Settle family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com
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Jim was a wonderful man that will be missed dearly.
I became friends with him after becoming a Mason & Shriner and always enjoyed his company. He started our Barra Patrol Mini Sprint Parade Car Group at the Bartholomew County Shrine Club many years ago.
Rest in Peace, Brother Jim; we will continue to drive our little parade cars in memory of you.
My sincere condolences to the family,
Dirk Rader
My Condolences to Jims Family. I Am Sorry for Your Loss. Jim Was a Nice Man and I Knew Him From The Speedboat Races, as A Friend of Some of His Competitors, Namely Alan , and Ralph Collins. I Last Saw Him at Four Seasons about Two Years Ago. He and My Brother Sometimes Had Lunch Together with Others at Four Seasons. He Will be Missed.My Thoughts and Prayers to The families.
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Rose Fortner Thompson & Family purchased the Dreams From the Heart Bouquet for the family of James C. Settle.
Rose Fortner Thompson & Family planted a Memorial Tree in honor of James C. Settle.
Elaine Bass, Steve Rita & Sheila Fortner purchased the Sentiments of Serenity Spray for the family of James C. Settle.
Jim met my mother, Martha Jane Jennings, at Four Seasons. They quickly developed a close friendship, and Jim and Jane went on several vacations and outings. Acadia National park, Denver, South Carolina.
Jane had developed Alzheimer’s and I think that Jim was a caring and nurturing type of person who took all her lapses in memory in stride with her cheerful and positive attitude. They made a good team and we are especially thankful that Jim was around during Covid lockdown so they could keep each other company during quarantine.
Jim was a good man, and although we are not formally related, we are proud to consider Jim a member of our family too.
Mark, Barbara, Jay, Brant, and the Jennings family
May God Bless and Keep You during this difficult time. My sister Beverly Creaser and I followed Jim and his brothers all over Indiana during the 60s to watch them race their hydroplanes. Exciting times and very happy memories