James Hirn Sr.

SPENCERVILLE -- James "Jim" T. Hirn Sr., 77, former assistant fire chief with Spencerville Invincible Fire Company, passed away Saturday morning, October 25, 2025 at Roselawn Manor in Spencerville.

James T. Hirn was born on November 25, 1947, in Celina, to the late Clarence Robert Sr. and Mary Ellen (Veilkind) Hirn. Jim graduated from Spencerville High School in 1966 before attending GM schools in Cincinnati to be a mechanic. Shortly after graduating high school, he was united in marriage to Sandra "Sandy" Kay Shobe on August 20, 1966. Jim worked as a mechanic for Koenig Chevrolet in Spencerville from 1966-1981. After leaving Koenig, he co-owned Spencerville Auto Repair with Terry Laman from 1981 to 1994. He then worked at Tom Ahl for several years before going to Katterheinrich Chevrolet where he retired.

Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Spencerville. He was the assistant fire chief with the Spencerville Invincible Fire Company for a number of years and volunteered with the Spencerville Ambulance Service. Jim was a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Spencerville, Northwest Ohio Field and Stream, and a social member of the VFW Post #6772. He loved being involved with his community, often dressing up as Santa for the fire department. In 2011, Jim and Sandy were voted Spencerville's Citizen of the Year Award. As sociable and outgoing as Jim was, he never saw a stranger.

Jim was survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandy; two children, Tamara Kay "Tami" (Steve) Hawkey of Elida and James T. Hirn Jr. of Spencerville; two grandchildren, Chad (Madi) Hawkey of Elida and Steven (Addie) Hawkey of Bath; two great grandchildren, Avery Murphy and Sutton Hawkey; two siblings, Thomas Francis (Bert Hanjora) Hirn of Lima and Maureen Ann Wells of Spencerville; four sisters-in-law, Toyoko Hirn of Cincinnati, Carol Hirn of Ohio City, Donna (Hirn) Cosart of Spencerville, and Pam (Mike) Carder of Delphos; three brothers-in-law, Chet (Glenda) Shobe of Ada, Tom (Sharon) Shobe of Spencerville, and Bill (Betty) Shobe of Delphos; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Clarence Robert Jr. (Marie) Hirn, Joseph Edward Hirn, Gerald "Jerry" Hirn, Michael Ned Hirn, Ted Hirn, and Rosemary Wells; sister's-in-law, Betty Hirn and Carol Shobe; and brother's-in-law, Greg Wells and Maynard Shobe.

There will be a visitation from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by his funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the funeral home with Pastor Andrew J. Atkins officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery.

Memories may be shared and viewed by visiting www.baylifffuneral.com.

Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Jim and his family.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials can be made to the Spencerville Invincible Fire Company.