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November 14, 2012

James L. Lohman - full obituary

Rushville Republican

RUSHVILLE — James L. Lohman, Franklin, died Nov. 11, 2012 after a long battle against pancreatic cancer.

Known as Jim or Jimmy by his family and friends, he was born Jan. 7, 1930 in Indianapolis the son of Winifred and Clarence Lohman. He graduated from Howe High School and attended Indiana University. Jim was in the US Navy during the Korean War and served aboard the USS Philippine Sea aircraft carrier. He was discharged in December, 1951. He married Holly Boyer in April, 1952. They and their three children moved to Arlington in 1971. Jim and Holly lived there until they moved to Franklin in March, 2012.

Jim was an exceptionally talented harmonica player. Among his harmonica peers he was considered one of the best swing and jazz harmonica players in the United States. He has many fans in Europe and South America.

In 1953, Jim formed a harmonica trio with Bob Herndon playing chord harmonica and John Featheringill playing bass harmonica. Calling themselves the HarmoniKings, they appeared on many national TV programs such as the Lawrence Welk and the Arther Godfrey shows, as well as on local programs in central Indiana. They played show dates and supper clubs throughout the area until 1973.

When the trio broke up in 1973, Jim joined the Carter Lanning Combo of Rushville and played show dates with that group. Until 2010, Jim played with the Combo at the Saturday night dances at the Raleigh Community Center.

During this time, Jim was also a full-time employee of the Indianapolis Post Office. He retired in 1985 after 36 years of service.

Jim is survived by his wife, Holly; two daughters, Ter Petrotti of Ventura, Calif. and Danna Gossett of Franklin; one son, Tony Lohman of Rushville; five grandsons, Adam Sadler of Fairland, Jordan Sadler of Fairland, Mitch Lohman of Indianapolis, Matt Fuss of Bloomington and US Marine Corps Sgt. Ryan Fuss of Kailua, Hawaii; two granddaughters, Rachel Beckner of Terre Haute and PJ Gossett of Indianapolis; two great-grandsons, Boston Sadler of Fairland and Jett Sadler of Fairland; two great-granddaughters, Harper Sadler of Fairland and Nora Sadler of Fairland; two sisters, Sally Schnitzius of Danville and Barbara Rosselot of San Antonio, Texas; and two brothers, Joe Lohman of Franklin and Tom Lohman of Indianapolis.

Another brother, Charles, died in 2004.

Jim did not want a funeral or memorial service. He preferred that his family and friends remember him as he was the last time they saw him. His family has honored his request. Anyone who wishes to commemorate Jim’s life can do so by making a contribution in his name to the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH), attention Paul Davies, P.O. Box 865, Troy, MI 48099-0865.

Jim was an extraordinarily gifted musician, a loving and protective husband, father, and grandfather, a very funny person, a hard worker, and sometimes cantankerous. A unique person, he will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

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