James Joseph Stelzer

James Joseph Stelzer

James Joseph Stelzer, 88, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023 after a truly wonderful life on this earth. Jim was born on April 12,1935 in Toledo, Ohio to Magda and Robert Stelzer.

He was a proud 1953 graduate of Central Catholic High School. After graduating, Jim followed his older brother into the navy where he served 4 memorable years. His time on the USS McGinty allowed him to travel the world and make lifelong friends. During his travels Jim corresponded with the love of his life, Jo-Ann Bailey, who reciprocated daily. They got together after his tour of duty and spent the next 60 years happily married. Jim and Jo-Ann delighted in the raising of their 4 children, Anna-Marie, Suzanne, Cathleen, and James II. He was an involved and encouraging father and a devoted husband. Jim especially looked forward to the family's yearly vacation to Houghton Lake for swimming, fishing, and relaxing in the sun.

Jim retired as the owner of Titgemeier's Feed and Garden Store on Western Avenue in 1998. He started in the business delivering everything from flour for local bakeries to food for the animals at the Toledo Zoo! Customer service was an integral part of the job for Jim. Every customer was important and Jim took pride in the neighborhood he served and the community he created. For 15 years his wife worked alongside him as the bookkeeper for the business.

Jim and Jo-Ann retired on the same day and spent their leisure years traveling to see family and friends in the U.S. and abroad. Jim was an avid gardener, an accomplished fly fisherman, a tennis player with a wicked serve, and a lifelong stamp collector. He was lucky enough to be able to pursue many of these hobbies well into his eighties.

To know Jim was to love him and the people who loved him best enjoyed his company. From his advice to his stories he was quite an entertainer. The people in his condo association appreciated his lawn and gardening advice and were a kind community of residents who looked out for each other. He cherished the friendship and the life stories he shared with Joe Zychowicz, Myron Goff and his cousin, Jo Ann Vanderpool. In his last several months, his sarcastic witty side continued as he received love and kindness from the staff at Charter, his memory care facility.

Jim is survived by his children, Anna-Marie (Rick Adamson), Suzanne (Scott Sutliff), Cathleen (Bill Margolin), and James Stelzer II. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sarah-Jo (Sam Turner), Ricky (Ashley Adamson), Karianna (Alex Cooper), Jacquelyn Adamson, Katie (Ben Dahl), Juliana Sutliff, Aaron Margolin, and Celia Margolin. His legacy lives on in his 3 great-grandchildren, Lucas James Turner, Weston Jo Turner, and Hayden Marie Adamson.

Jim will be laid to rest Thanksgiving weekend when his entire family can gather to celebrate his life. There will be a 10:00 a.m. funeral at St. Joseph Church in Sylvania on November 25th with a private gathering at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to Central Catholic High School. "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." Mae West

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