James “Jim” Alexander, age 94, of Pemberville, OH passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Otterbein Senior Living, Pemberville.
He was born on August 31, 1929, in rural Pemberville, OH to Henry and Susie (Bruning) Alexander. He was a member of the 1948 graduating class at Pemberville High School. He later served his country in the United States Army and on May 2, 1953, just shortly after receiving his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim married Lois Ann Wiegman at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pemberville. Jim and Lois raised 2 children and celebrated 53 years of marriage.
In his earlier days, in 1959 Jim and his brother Don combined their individual herds of cows and formed the Alexander Brothers Dairy business. They worked for a year to design, develop and construct their business. Their focus was on efficiency both in construction design, utilities, production, insulation, feeding, milking, and hauling of milk (which was picked up every 2 days) by a 2900-gallon tank truck and hauled to Cleveland. Their initial herd grew from 27 to 46 to 60 cows within the first year. Their efficiency all the way around provided an income that would compare with a good city or industrial job. Info from ‘The Ohio Farmer’ Nov 21, 1959.
In 1962 Jim was recognized at the age of 33 as the “Outstanding Young Farmer” in Wood County, selected from a group of 19 other farmers. The event was sponsored by the National Jaycees.
Some of his other Community involvement included the Alexander Brothers Dairy contributing to the forming and construction of the Pemberville Pool and Jim served on the Pemberville Fair Board between the years of 1968 and 1972. During that time, he also served as the President of the Pemberville Fair for two years.
In addition to these activities and being a farmer, Jim worked 25 years for Eastwood Schools retiring in 1995 as the Building and Grounds Supervisor, and because Jim always remained a proud Army Veteran, he was also a member of the Pemberville American Legion Post #183. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan and enjoyed gardening. However, Jim’s greatest love remained spending time with his family especially his children, grand and great-grandchildren.
James is survived by his children: Karen (Robert) Alexander of CO, and Keith (Nanci) Alexander of KY. Grandchildren: Kyle (Tori) Alexander, Tiffany (Jordan) Nissen, Tyler (Lauren) Alexander, Andrew (Elaine) Alexander, and David (Megan Minch) Alexander. Great-grandchildren: Brooklynn, Landon, Myles, Quinn, Harper, Henry, and Charlotte.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Lois (2006), his parents Henry Kenneth and Susie Marguerite (Bruning) Alexander and brothers: Henry, Donald, twin brother Robert, and sister Doris Fesler.
Family and friends will be received 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at the Marsh & Marsteller Funeral Home, 4094 State Route 105, Pemberville, OH.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 220 Cedar Street, Pemberville. There will be additional visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Philabaum.
Interment will be in Pemberville Union Cemetery, Pemberville. Following the Interment there will be a luncheon at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to: Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Music Fund) or Otterbein Ashanti Hospice.
Those wishing to express a word of encouragement, share a memory or photo may do so at www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
