James Joseph Fusco

11/19/1954-03/ 02/2026

Born in Bellville, Illinois to Carol and Charles Fusco, James (Jimmy Joe as friends and family would call him) passed away peacefully with his wife, son, and family at his side following almost a 4-year battle with a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, at Sullivan County Community Hospital.

His care teams at IU Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis were amazed at Jim’s strength and determination going through the Whipple surgery, hernia repair surgery, numerous chemo and radiation treatments while continuing working around his shop, the apartments, and his grandpa’s farm regularly.

Jim attended Paul Schulte High School where he met his wife, Carole. To complete high school early Dec.,1971, Jim transferred to be in the first Graduating class of Terre Haute South High School. He then attended Indiana State University before joining the Navy.

After the Navy, Jim started his own Construction business in the Terre Haute area building custom houses, pole barns, apartments, concrete work, along with his love for heavy equipment and his own excavation business Hawk Excavation.

Moving to Sullivan, Indiana, 1982, Jim started his own poured basement wall business around central and southern Indiana. Later, started his Valley Rental store business on 41 in Sullivan as he started working on building himself the current Sawmill apartments.

Recently, Jim was known to have a love for customizing cars, jeeps, and trucks working from the bottom frame to complete making them look and run brand new.

Memberships include Linton Elks, Sullivan American Legion, Terre Haute/Sullivan Shrine, and Sullivan Masonic Lodge.

Jim is survived by his parents Carol and Charles, Carole his wife, Michael his son, (wife-Beth), and grandsons, Scott and Sean Fusco along with sister Cheryl Fogel (husband-Bill), and Uncle Emmanuel Fusco. Also, several nieces and nephews plus several cousins in Sullivan, Terre Haute, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Linton, and Florida.

Previous family members passing includes paternal grandparents Stella and Joseph Fusco, maternal grandparents Mildred and Jim Rudisel, his sisters Dawna Arthur and Lynne Akers.

Upon Jim’s request, a private visitation with Sullivan Masonic last rites and Rosary by Sullivan, St. Mary Catholic church Father Suresh. Burial with immediate family will be in Terre Haute at Calvary Catholic Cemetery by Father Suresh, Saturday, March 7, 2026. A Catholic Mass for Jim will be on a later date at Sullivan, St. Mary Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life will also be later in the Spring with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sullivan St. Mary Catholic Church Remodeling Fund.

Jim, Carole, Michael, and immediate family would like to Thank Family, Close Friends, and Caregivers recently for helping with his comfort care. Thank You IU Simon Cancer Center Indianapolis, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida, Elara Caring Hospice, and Sullivan County Community Hospital

Holmes Memorial Chapel and staff were honored to assist the family with arrangements.