Menu
James (Jimbo) Bodnar, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on January 22, 2026.
He is survived by his sisters Debbie Rupp, Pam Bentley and Sandy Duracz; and nieces and nephews, Melissa, Shauna and Dan Bentley and Joe and Trisha Rupp; great nephews Brandon Hernandez and Ralph Cortes.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Eva Bodnar.
A lifelong resident of Gary’s “East Side”, Jimbo proudly kept his roots and called Gary home.
He attended Franklin College on a football scholarship where he earned his degree. Following graduation, he joined the Gary Police Department, dedicating 34 years of service to the City. He retired with the rank of Liutenant.
Jimbo greatly valued friendship and connection. He enjoyed spending his days with his wide circle of friends from the Slovak Club, Indian Ridge Golf Course, R-Place, Turkey Creek Golf Course, and Hard Rock and he remained in close contact with classmates from Holy Angels and Andrean High School. His presence, loyalty, and sense of friendship and camaraderie will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 4:00p to 8:00p at Rendina Funeral Home, 5100 Cleveland St., Gary. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00am at the funeral home. Jimbo will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Jimbo’s memory.
We share great tips on creating your life’s story,
and how to pre-arrange dynamic memorials!
Copyright © 2022-2025 Calumet Park Cemetery & Funeral Chapels
All Rights Reserved.
+1 219 769 8803
info@mycalumetpark.com
2305 W 73rd Ave,
Merrillville, IN 46410
A friend since grade school sports with our fathers having known each other since high school. Jimbo, Buddy Graves and I spent almost every day together playing golf, bowling and just hanging out for over 30 years after high school. We spent so much time together that the retirees of Turkey Creek Golf Course affectionally nicknamed us the Pigs. Jimbo was #1, go figure. He was one of the most intelligent individuals that I have ever met. In the early 1990’s, he was shot by a California gangster that was trying to kill him. He not only lived through it, but he gathered his friends (at my house of course) to celebrate life. That is who Jimbo was. I love and will always miss you Plug.
RIP old friend! Fly high with the Angels. I will hold some fond memories from the years, which one day we can share again. Sleep well, Pal!🙏
To all the family and friends of Jimbo Bodnar I send my deepest sympathy .
Jimbo had so many friends and the friends from the group were family to him. Jimbo brought a smile to your face with every story and comment. Andrean should be proud that a graduate went on to protect all citizens and Gary was his home town. Michael Shoback and Jimbo were true brothers from other mothers.. I know all who love and knew him are in a deep place of loss.. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND REST IN PEACE JIMBO .
I met Jimbo over 40 years ago. A good friend of my brother Steve, and started playing softball together. I’m really going to miss his wicked sense of humor. Sure going to miss him.
I was 12 years old when I saw jimbo for the first time, he was home from Franklin and he was playing mushball with my cousins at Reese field and I fell in love. I later dated him and even was engaged. We never married but parted friends and still were until the day he died. I’m going to miss him and his sense of humor.