James B. "Jim" Small, Sr.

James B. “Jim” Small, Sr., 95, of Shippensburg, passed away the morning of Sunday, June 21, 2026 at the Orrstown Personal Care Home.

He was born on January 23, 1931 in Chambersburg, a son of the late Samuel S. and Roberta Marie (Brake) Small, Sr.

Jim was a 1949 graduate of Chambersburg High School and United States Air Force Veteran, serving during the Korean War. He worked at Letterkenny Army Depot from 1955 to 1967 before retiring in 1986 from Fort Ritchie, MD in supervised computer maintenance. Upon retirement, he worked for his children in their respective businesses.

In his younger years, he attended and was active in the former Messiah Evangelical United Brethren Church. Jim more recently attended the former Mongul United Brethren Church. He was a member of the Cumberland Valley Masonic Lodge #315 and Shippensburg Fly Fishing Club, where he was a mentor to many. An avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and beekeeping. At one time, he cared for 54 bee hives.

He is survived by two children, James B. Small, Jr. and wife Diane of Shippensburg, and Rebecca Marie Wadel and husband Verne of Newburg; four grandchildren, Tawnya Wadel Horton and husband Sean, Verne “Pete” Wadel and significant other, Jodi Koester, Anne Van Itallie, and Tyler James Small; and four great-grandchildren, Austin, Carter, Ethan, and Rylinn.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Ann (Henry) Small who passed away in 2006; second wife, Virginia Jane (Gabler) Highlands who passed away in 2020; two brothers, Samuel Small, Jr. and Jack Small; and one sister, Bernadine Edwards.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg with Pastor Ed Rosenberry officiating. Burial will follow at Parklawns Memorial Gardens with military honors conducted by The Minutemen of the American Legion Post #223. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home.