James Ernest Carpenter,73, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 at his
residence. He was born on September 24, 1952 in Akron, OH. The son of Edwin
Carpenter & Lois (Blythe) Carpenter Huey. He was a lifelong resident of Jennings
and Decatur County. He graduated from Jennings County High School in 1971. He
retired as Superintendent of Decatur County Highway Department. In his earlier
career he was the director of Jennings and Decatur County EMS services. He loved
mowing grass and working in the yard. He married Ardith Kay DePelsMaeker on
August 13,1982 in Columbus, OH and she preceded him in death on June 23, 2020.
He is survived by his daughters; Lisa K. Beam of Grand Rapids, MI, Amy Carpenter
of Vancouver, WA and Andrea Carpenter (William Stovall) of Columbus, IN, his
sons; Bradley J. Beam (Maike) of Noblesville, IN, Steven J. Beam (Melanie) of
Columbia, South Carolina and Shannon D. Beam (Christina) of Greensburg, IN, his
sisters; Joanne Corrigan of Northfork, VA and Shirley Ballantyne of Sunberry, OH
and a brother; Larry Carpenter(Sandra) of Pataskala, OH, 13 grandchildren and 7
great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James
Looney and a granddaughter Lilith Baughman. A graveside service will be held
Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 2025 at Mapleton Cemetery with Pastor
Gary Johnson officiating. Bass & Gasper Funeral Home has been entrusted with the
arrangements