James F. Bapst, of Dune Acres, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003 at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso. He was 88.

He was born Sept. 10, 1915 in Grand Junction, Colo., the son of Frank and Laura (St. Jullian) Bapst, who preceded him in death.

On Feb. 20, 1943 in Corvallis, Ore., he married Margaret Poehner, who preceded him in death in Jan. 1991.

He is survived by a son, Mark (Jan) Bapst of Chesterton, 2 daughters, Patrice Bapst of Dune Acres and Sarah Bapst of Cambridge, Maine; 6 grandchildren, Mark, Morgan, Andrew, Christopher (Donna), Jenny and Gretchen (Brian) and a great grandchild, Caeden James.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Madeline Ireland.

He served in the U.S. Army 162nd Infantry, 41st Division during WWII and achieved the rank of Captain. He was an area resident for over 40 years. He was an Account and Tax Director.

He was a graduate of Northwestern University and the Advanced Management Program of Harvard University.

He was employed for 25 years at the Anderson Company, Michigan City and was active until his death as Accountant for the John W. Anderson Charitable Foundation since its inception in 1969. He was a former Dune Acres Clerk-Treasurer and also served as Police Commissioner. He was a member of St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Church Council and Financial Consultant. He was a previous member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chesterton. He was also a volunteer AARP Tax Consultant for 12 years at the Westchester Public Library.

A Mass of Christian Burial, Rev. John B. Barasinski officiating, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church. A private family interment will be at Furnessville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church.

Memorials may be made to St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church.

Arrangements were handled by Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

Posted 11/10/2003