Monroe County recorder to be memorialized

A memorial service for the late Jim Fielder will take place Friday in the Monroe County Courthouse from 4 to 6 p.m. in the rotunda.

Fielder was found dead in his home May 24 at the age of 58. He served as the county recorder for three non-consecutive terms.

He also served as county clerk for four terms and ran for Bloomington mayor in 1991, but he dropped out of the race.

Fielder is remembered by people who knew him as a hard-working, honest and caring person.

Those who worked with him said he did all he could to help those in need while working in public service.

A county recorder typically handles public records of actions done by the county government. A county clerk has similar duties, including overseeing elections, marriage, birth and death certificates and legal publications.

As recorder, Fielder helped set up an archive space for the county and helped the office transition to several new policies, including accepting credit card payments for fees.

Co-workers said he had a gift for helping people. He ran for office as a Republican, but always put the people before his party.

“He was the most genuine public servant I’ve ever known,” Jessica Warthan said.
Warthan worked with Fielder for 16 years, including serving as his chief deputy for 11 years.

Fielder struggled with his health throughout his life.

Powers said one of the main reasons he dropped out of the 1991 mayoral race was because he had already had seven hip surgeries by that time.

Jacob Klopfenstein