James Dale Petersen

James “Jim” Dale Petersen, 68, of Franklin, Indiana passed away January 13, 2016, at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin, Indiana.Jim was born April 3, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, the son of Bernice (Cross) Petersen and Fritz Petersen.He married Sara Yoder, on November 30, 1968, in Portage, Indiana.Jim graduated from Portage High School in 1965, and continued his education at Franklin College on a football scholarship graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1969. While at Franklin College, along with playing football, Jim was a member Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Jim continued his education by earning his Master of Science degree from Purdue University. He also received his Educational Specialist degree from Indiana University/Purdue University in 1992.Jim taught for six years at Central Elementary in Portage, Indiana. After leaving Central Elementary, he became principal of California and Washington Elementary Schools in Knox, Indiana. From 1977 to 1991, Jim was principal at Break-O-Day Elementary in Whiteland, Indiana. He always said that being an elementary principal was the greatest job because of his ability to interact with both students and teachers. He recalled his time at Break-O-Day with sincere fondness.After leaving Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation, Jim became Superintendent of Schools for Eminence Consolidated Schools in Morgan County. Before his retirement from education in 2005, Jim was Superintendent of Schools for Porter Township School Corporation in Valparaiso, Indiana. He continued to be a liaison between the business world and education through his work at Honeywell from 2006 to 2013.Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Fritz Petersen.Survivors include his wife, Sara; son, Matthew (Angela) Petersen of Greenwood; daughters, Pamela Dillow and Erin (David) Tilley of Franklin; grandchildren, Derek, Katie, and Lauren Petersen; Hunter and, Karsen Dillow; Haydn, Garrett, Cohen and Landry Tilley; and one brother, Larry (Judie) Petersen of Nineveh.Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, golfing, and walking his dog, Tag.Visitation hours will take place from 1-3PM, Saturday, at Simplicity Funeral; Cremation Care, 951 N. Main Street, Franklin. Rev. Danny Anderson will officiate a memorial service to follow at 3PM.Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of Johnson County, 3827 Graham Road, Franklin, IN 46131.