James Elmer "Jimmy" Vanness, age 97 years, 9 months and 2 days, of Tipton, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014 at his residence after an extended illness. He was born July 8, 1916 in Tipton County, the son of Oscar and Cleva (Goodwin) Vanness. James was a popcorn farmer all of his life, and was known to many people as "Little Jimmy" and the "Popcorn Man". He was a 1934 graduate of Windfall High School. James was dedicated to the business of growing the best popcorn, and was a member of the American Popcorn Institute. James annually hosted a Popcorn Processor's Golf Tournament at the Elwood Country Club. Processors from all around the Midwest attended including Orville Redenbacher. James was also proud that as a young boy in the 7th grade, he was a finalist in the U.S. National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. He was a former member of the Elwood Country Club, the Tipton County 4-H Choir, and an enthusiastic fan of Tipton and Elwood High School basketball teams. James was an avid reader – reading magazines, books, and seven different daily newspapers. Above all else, James absolutely loved spending time at home and on his farm in Tipton County. He was awarded the Hoosier Homestead by the State of Indiana for his family owning the farm for over 100 years.


James' family includes his cousins Ed & Emma VanNess of Fairmount; close friends, Kerry & David Kane of Elwood, Robert Ware of Trenton, KY, Van & Becky Taylor of Flora, Harley "Butch" Groover of Tipton, R.L. Jordan of Tipton, Jim Schroeder of Tipton, Bill Buechler, Jr. of Brentwood, TN, and Holly O'Neil of Indianapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Floyd W. Vanness; and beloved lifelong friend, Dr. William Buechler.


Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Monday, April 14, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Jim Snapp of the Curtisville Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Curtisville Cemetery, and will include a procession by the Vanness family farm. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Monday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tipton Community "Dollars for Scholars" Fund through the funeral home. Online condolences: copherfeslermay.com.