James Alfred "Jim" Lichtenberger, 77, of Middlebury, Indiana, passed away Dec. 29, 2017 at Elkhart General Hospital.

Jim was born Sept. 15, 1940 in Elkhart, Indiana to the late Alfred and Charlene Lichtenberger. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1958 and from Valparaiso University in 1962, where he played basketball for the Crusaders. On Aug. 26, 1961 he married the love of his life, Margaret "Peggy" Corns.

Jim was a teacher, basketball coach and school administrator. He coached at Concordia Teacher's College in River Forest, Illinois, Bristol High School, Northside Junior High, LaVille High School, Hobart High School and Delphi High School. He was an assistant principal at Fairfield Junior Senior High School and principal at Argos Junior Senior High School before becoming the principal at Northridge High School, where he retired in 2005.

Jim was a lifelong Cubs fan and was ecstatic to see them win the World Series. He also enjoyed Notre Dame basketball, Purdue football and basketball, and all Northridge High School extracurricular activities.
Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family dearly.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Peggy, two daughters, Kathleen Lichtenberger of Middlebury, Deborah (Jack) McKissick of Granger, and Robert (Sherry) Lichtenberger of North Liberty, 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his sister Jill (Jim) Ferres of Terre Haute. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Steve Lichtenberger of Maysville, Kentucky.

Per Jim's request there will be no funeral service or visitation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Northridge High School or the Middlebury Food Pantry.