Jim E Saylor, 73, of Burnettsville, Indiana went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 9:30 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Logansport, Indiana to James "Howard" and Ada "Lucile" (Gordon) Saylor on Tuesday, January 10, 1953.  He graduated from Twin Lakes High School in 1971 and Butler University in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration and Economics.  He was a member of the Zeta chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.  He later earned his CPA license, passing the exam on the first try.

After Jim graduated from Butler he returned home to Burnettsville to join the family business, JH Saylor Company (locally known as the Saylor Candy Company) full time.  He began working there as soon as he was old enough to push a broom.

He married Pamela Sue Pickett in 1973.  They had four children together.   Jim and Pam divorced in 1992, remaining friends for the rest of his life.

In 1997, Jim married Lynn Hunnell Hallar in the backyard of his Burnettsville home near the site of the Farmington Academy.

Jim loved history and took many family vacations to American Revolution and Colonial sites as well as many Civil War battlefields, instilling a love of history in his children.  Walt Disney World was also a beloved vacation spot with his family. He loved Christmas and celebrated it extravagantly with lavish gifts, lights and decorations, music, Christmas movies, and a Christmas Eve dinner.

Although an accountant by trade, Jim loved to engineer, design and build features of his home with woodwork.  He created a warm, welcoming environment for his family and built lofts, closets and shelving units for his children.

Jim served on the Burnettsville Town Board from 1981 to 2009 and was president for many years.  His proudest achievement was the funding and installation of an affordable sewer system for his hometown community.

Jim was a faithful member of several churches (Burnettsville Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Burnettsville, Faith Covenant Church, and Zion Bethel in Monticello) over the years and often held leadership positions.  He and his wife, Lynn, were guests of the Great Banquet and served there together in leadership positions.  They also ran an Alpha Course for several years.

Jim also demonstrated his faith by serving on several mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Jim was known for his quiet demeanor and dry wit.  He had the ability to take in a complex situation and sum it up concisely with a comment that left his listeners momentarily surprised and then laughing in astonishment.

Jim loved Jesus, his family, animals, and his community.  He cared deeply for all of these and quietly demonstrated his love through many behind the scenes acts of kindness and generosity.

He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Lucile Saylor and his brother Jeff Saylor.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn, and former wife Pam of Elk Rapids, Michigan, his children Jaime (Joel Zumbolo) Saylor of Angola, Indiana, Nathaniel (Ashley) Saylor of Williamsburg, Michigan, Jessica (James Gardner) Saylor of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Amanda (Paul Rogers) Saylor of Grand Rapids, Michigan; stepdaughters Erin (Tim Boebel) Hallar of Wilmette, Illinois and Emily (Dan) Guildenbecher of West Lafayette, Indiana; and 7 grandsons, Aidan and Owen Zumbolo, Henry, Charlie and Milo Saylor, and Lucas and Elliot Guildenbecher. He is also survived by his nephews Nick (Jackie) and their daughter, Keely of Durham, North Carolina, and Jake (Jessica) Saylor of Fishers, Indiana, sister-in-law Jan (Mike) Blackburn of Burnettsville, Indiana, and many cousins and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Deibels Funeral Home, 601 Gordon Road, Monticello, IN 47960.

Celebration of life service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Deibels Funeral Home of Monticello, Indiana with Pastor Jerry Long officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, in the Davis Cemetery of rural Burnettsville, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Burnettsville Town Board or Real Hope for Haiti.  Envelopes will be available at Deibels funeral home or mailed to P.O. Box 6, Burnettsville, IN C/O Jim Saylor.