James H. Zender

James H. Zender was born June 14th, 1928 to Harry W. Zender and Marie H. Zender (Bock) in Chicago, Illinois. Jim worked for Motch and Merryweather as a sales manager for 20 years. Jim quit in 1970 and with his wife Grace A. Hodowal, whom he married in June of 1954 in Chicago, brought his family to Indianapolis.

With five children in tow, Jim and Grace tried to make ends meet as Grace got a job and Jim started a fix-it business called “The House Doctor”. However, with five children in parochial schools and a new home purchased, money was scarce. With bigger dreams, Jim invested his life savings into real estate and bought an 8 unit apartment building near downtown. Jim made repairs in his spare time and soon found a small bank in Lizton to refinance his budding real estate business. He was then able to purchase a 14 unit building on Market Street.

Jim began buying real estate in downtown Indianapolis at an alarming clip. After purchasing over 750 units, Jim, with the help of his 5 children, amassed over 1200 units in downtown Indianapolis and neighboring areas. He also taught real estate courses at IUPUI and held seminars at the Apartment Association of Indiana.
The real estate portfolio continued to grow and in June of 2015, the business was sold allowing Jim and Grace, and their children and grandchildren to comfortably retire.
Jim had a love for boats, bridge and cards. In 2015 Jim and his son Tim were inducted into the Indiana Handball Hall of Fame.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 am Wednesday, June 7 at St. Luke Catholic Church, where family and friends are invited to gather from 10:00 am until the time of the service.

Jim leaves behind Grace, his bride of 62 years, as well as his children, Michael (wife, Lois), Marc (wife, Donna), Timothy (wife, Virginia), Tracy (husband, Jeffrey) and Lisa (husband, Steven); 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Marge and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to the donor’s favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Carmel.