James Edward Haley

James Edward Haley, 71, of Terre Haute, passed away on April 3, 2026. He was born on February 24, 1955, in Terre Haute to the late John and Mary Alice Haley.

Jim graduated from Schulte High School (1973) and earned his bachelor’s degree in construction management from Indiana State University (1977). During his time at ISU, he met the love of his life, Dona (Pfrank). Jim and Dona were married and shared 53 beloved years together.

Jim was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, the Knights of Columbus, St. Benedict’s Church and he held multiple black belts in martial arts. His best-known passion was umpiring softball at the local, national, and collegiate levels for over 45 years. Through umpiring he was able to stay actively involved in his community and charitable causes. Using his 17-year battle with cancer to drive him to support causes like Swing for a Cure. When he was not on the ball field, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dona Haley; his children, James Haley Jr., Juli Haley, Marah Shilts (Dean), and Clair Logsdon (John David); his grandchildren, Noah Puckett, Lucy Logsdon, and Arlen Shilts; and his many sisters, brothers, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Clara and Louis Pfrank; his brother, John Haley Jr.; his sister-in-law, Chris Haley; and his brothers-in-law, Brent Houston and Jeff Spencer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 111 South 9th Street, with Father Bob St. Martin officiating. Cremation will follow, and Jim will be laid to rest privately in Highland Lawn Cemetery.

If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to Swing for a Cure, C/O Erica Arnold, 412 W. Sawmill Rd., Farmersburg, IN 47805; Carmelite Monastery of Terre Haute online at www.heartsawake.org or by mail to 59 Allendale, Terre Haute, IN 47802-4751; or to IU Health Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center for Melanoma, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207.