THE BALLOON MAN

James "Jim Silverlake" Timberlake

 

James "Jim Silverlake" Timberlake, 69, Medora, died at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Hoosier Christian Village, Brownstown.
He was born Nov. 26, 1943 in Brownstown to the late Melvin and Josephine Fisher Timblerlake. On Sept. 8, 1967 he married the former Marlyn Hochstetler in Lexington, S.C., and she survives.
Mr. Timberlake was of the Methodist faith. He was a graduate of Clearspring High School and served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967. He was a retired elephant handler, trainer, and circus performer. Mr. Timberlake owned Lewis Brothers Circus, Barnes & Daily Circus, and also traveled with many other circuses. His last circus years, 1989 to 1999, were spent with Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus taking care of the elephant known as "King Tusk."
Other survivors include two sons, A. Michael (Mitzi) Timberlake of Brownstown and Bradley W. (Amy) Timberlake of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Marcus Timberlake of Nashville, Ind. and Melvin Timberlake, Jr., of Kingman, Kan.; sister, Myrna Ratcliff of Medora; and two grandchildren, Zachary and Meagan Timberlake.
He was preceded in death by both parents and three brothers, William Glen Timberlake, Franklin Timberlake, and George Joe Timberlake.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to International Elephant Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, or Mt. Zion United Methodist Church through Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc.
Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, is in charge of arrangements.
www.spurgeonfh.com