March 11, 1975 – November 26, 2018
James Robert “JB” Massingill, 43, formerly of Sheridan, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Mulberry, Ind., on Monday evening, November 26, 2018. Born in Noblesville on March 11, 1975, he was the son of Chuck Massingill and Tina (Freeman) Massingill-Railer.
JB was very dedicated, and also very successful at everything he did in his life. A majority of the time, that tends to lend itself to somewhat of an inflated ego, but not with JB. About as humble a man as you would ever want to know, JB, along with those closest to him, knew his accomplishments, and that was just fine with him. A 1993 graduate of Sheridan High School, he was proud to be a Blackhawk. JB was a player on the 1992 Class A State Champion football team. He was a true team player. You never heard him boast about laying out one of Ritter’s defensive players, allowing what turned into Sheridan’s only TD of the game. In addition to football, JB was a power lifter. In 1990, when he was just 15 years old, he broke the National High School Bench Press record at the National Weight Lifting Championships. That’s something most people would brag about, but not JB.
A true outdoorsman, JB made hunting and fishing look as easy as riding a bike. He usually did fairly well when he was out hunting for deer and turkey, but when he went bass fishing, it was on a whole other level. He loved every aspect of it; the science of finding the best spots, making the perfect lures, telling stories about your secret fishing holes, and the peacefulness of just sitting, sometimes by yourself and sometimes with good friends, just waiting for them to start biting.
As much as JB loved bass fishing, he loved his family and friends more. Sitting around the fire pit with the people he loved most was about as close to heaven as you could get; if his nieces and nephews were there, it was even better. Everyone seemed to be family in JB’s eyes. He never seemed to know a stranger. If you needed help, JB was always there to lend a hand. It didn’t matter if he had known you for decades or met you five minutes ago, if you needed help, JB would never tell you no.
After attending ITT Tech, JB worked for over 25 years as a machinist for Lake Erie Screw in Frankfort. He was a member of the N.R.A., the KV. Elliott Post 67 Sons of the American Legion, the Bass Masters, and just about every Bass Club you could find in Frankfort, Clinton County or Central Indiana.
JB is survived by his father, Chuck Massingill; his mother and step-father, Tina Massingill-Railer and Dave Railer; maternal grandmother, Vonna Lois Freeman; one son, Hunter Ray Massingill (fiancée Mackenzie Dietz), West Lafayette; one brother, Bill Massingill (Rachel), Thorntown; three step-brothers, Michael Holman (Rachelle), Frankfort, Alan Railer, Sheridan, and Barry Railer of Sheridan; his former wife, Brandy Sammons Massingill of Burlington; and his nieces and nephews, Madison Massingill, Alexa Massingill, Georgia Massingill, Alyssa Railer, Lauren Railer, Camden Massingill, Gavin Railer, Dakota Sammons, Montana Holman and Maverick Holman, who were his pride and joy.
He was preceded in death by his step-mother, Teresa Lynn “Terri” Massingill; sister-in-law, Sabrina Plunkett; mother-in-law, Rhonda Kelley; half-brother, Ray Massingill; paternal grandparents, Luther and Vergie Massingill; maternal grandfather, Robert “Bob” Freeman; and by his canine BFF, his rat terrier RED.
A celebration of JB’s life will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 3, 2018 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 3 p.m. until the time of service. Pastor Ben Simpson will be officiating.
Arrangements
Calling: 3 to 7 p.m., Dec. 3
Service: 7 p.m., Dec. 3
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com