Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
James Vallance Obituary
GIBSONBURG: James "Jim" Meryle Vallance, age 72, died on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 as the result of injuries acquired from a car accident. He was born on February 21, 1943 to Meryle A. and Lois (Berry) Vallance. Jim and Kathy Minich were married on August 1, 1964 at Solomon Lutheran Church, Woodville.
Jim graduated from Gibsonburg High School in 1961. After high school, he attended DeVry University in Chicago, IL. Holding various positions throughout his career, early on, Jim worked for Veh and Son Furniture and Mortuary. He also worked for Madison Garage, Genoa Motors, owned/operated Jim's Marathon and 24 Hour Wrecker Service (for twenty years), and the Sandusky County Engineers and Poggemeyer Design Group. Jim was preparing to retire in Dec. 2015 after 25 years with Gerken Companies, where he was a Safety Manager and was an interviewer for the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprentice Program.
Jim was very active in his community where he served on town council and later served as Village Administrator. He was also an avid Republican, serving on the Sandusky County Board of Elections and as a Republican Central Committeeman. Jim was a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept., Charter member of the Lion's Club, a veteran of the Ohio National Guard, member of American Legion Post 17, and had served as a trustee at Zion Lutheran Church. Jim was also a big supporter of the Gibsonburg Golden Bears. He was a scoreboard operator and videographer for many years. Jim also enjoyed camping, horse racing and antique car shows.
He was a fun loving guy who didn't know a stranger. Jim adored and cherished his granddaughters with whom he spent countless hours. His dedication, jokes, laughter, giant hugs and unwavering love for life and family was an inspiration.
Surviving are his wife, Kathy; son, Stephen (Amy) Vallance of Cypress, TX; daughter, Stefanie (Eric) Rogers of Gibsonburg; granddaughters: Olivia and Sofia Rogers, and Elle Vallance; sisters, Sally (Peter) Clarke of Batavia, IL and Beth (Bob) Kelly of Pemberville. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Family and friends will be received on Sunday, Nov. 15th from 1:00pm - 8:00pm at the Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 319 W Madison St., Gibsonburg, OH 43431. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, Novemner 16th 11:00am at Zion Lutheran Church, 500 S. Brentwood, Gibsonburg with an additional visitation beginning at 10:00am until the time of service. Officiating will be the Reverend Blair Miller. Interment will follow at West Union Cemetery, Gibsonburg. There will be a bereavement luncheon served at the church immediately following the cemetery committal service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Gibsonburg Fire Dept, Zion Lutheran or the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Vallance
Cindy (Frederick) Wallington
November 7, 2019
Kathy - was just thinking of you and Jim the other day and said a prayer for you and the kids. I was blessed when I lived in Gibsonburg that he would periodically check on me. I feel privileged to have known you both!
Trudy Claypool Nicholson
November 17, 2015
I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Jim, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have fond memories of days with my classmates many years ago.
Toni Domanski
November 16, 2015
Stephanie,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Fred & Connie Patton
November 16, 2015
Please accept our Condolences! Thank You! God Bless You! Connie and Fred Patton
Cheryl (Rolf) and John Phalen
November 15, 2015
Dear Kathy and family,
We send our deepest sympathy to you and are so sorry about Jim's tragic accident and death. We pray that God will give you an unlimited measure of His love and comfort at this difficult time. Jim was a great guy and always had a smile. He cared deeply about others and was a blessing to his family, his church and his community and he will be sorely missed.
Psalm 116:15
Kim Jividen
November 15, 2015
Kathy, Stephanie& Stephen so so sorry for your loss! He will be missed in the mornings at the bakery. We all had good laughs with him. The mornings will not be the same. R.I.P. James
Mark Sworden
November 15, 2015
From the day Jim hired me to pump gas at his gas station, to the last 15 years as his "across-the-street" neighbor - Jim always had a smile on his face and a heartfelt message for my family. We will miss you Jim.
Ted Smith
November 15, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
JAMES MCCLINTOCK
November 14, 2015
your will be missed greatly by all.you were a very kind person and always seemed happy.we miss you
Mike Maggart
November 14, 2015
Jim was one of the most pleasant people to work with, always had a smile on his face. The world has truly lost a great man. So sorry for your families loss.
Jon Fry
November 14, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Heidi Maines
November 14, 2015
Met Jim through Rolie Harris and anytime Jim stopped by Green Hills [where i work] he was a joy to visit with and was thrilled to show recent pics of grandkids, As he shared family updates he was also so kind to ask about my family as well - he knew my husband who works for the OTC and as you know your husband/dad/grandpa was just such a great person and we are SO VERY SORRY for your loss! We can only hope your great family memories can help you through your toughest days. God Bless & we will keep you all in our prayers.
Dan Henning
November 14, 2015
Jim always impressed me as a dedicated family man and friend of everyone. Last time I spoke with him, he was operating the scoreboard at the stadium, and he was smiling as always. My condolences to the family.
Shelley Rowland
November 14, 2015
God Bless you and hold you tightly in his arms. May He carefully and safely guide you not only on your travels but through your grief
Jean Todd
November 13, 2015
I am so sorry for your lose
Ken Loebel
November 13, 2015
Our family wishes to express our condolences for your loss. May God's peace be with you.
Wade Sanecki
November 13, 2015
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. II worked with Jim while at ODOT and Lucas County. A good man, easy to work with.
November 13, 2015
My sympathy to the family with the lost of Jim. I was bookkeeper at Genoa Motors while Jim worked there. I remember him as a fun loving happy person and remember we had many friendly chats. The smile on this picture brings back memories of the fun loving person he was easy to talk with. I pray God will comfort your family with his untimely passing.
Kathryn Wilka
Cindy (Frederick) Wallington
November 13, 2015
Kathy...I can't say enough about how nice and wonderful you both were to me when I lived in Gibsonburg. I feel blessed to have known Jim. I moved back to Ashland where my family was from, but have always cherished my years living there. My prayers and thoughts are with you, your children and grandchildren.
mary brown
November 13, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss, words cannot express. It was Jim's idea to get the Ohio Apprenticeship involved to grade the path around the quarry graded for free. His joy for life will be not forgotten. God Bless...my prayers are with you.
Greg Arnold
November 13, 2015
Truly one of the good guys. This is such a terrible loss to the Vallance family and to Gibsonburg. My prayers are with the Vallance family at this most difficult time.
Gary & Alice Swailes
November 13, 2015
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was a dear friend of ours for over 40 years. We will greatly miss him, but will always remember and cherish all the fun times we had together. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and the family.
Dick and Carol Hoffman
November 13, 2015
We extend our deepest sympathy for Jim's loss. Our prayers go out to the family for strength, peace and comfort.
Jerry Schuett
November 13, 2015
Sorry your loss, Jim was great man .
Dawn Kimmet
November 13, 2015
Dear Vallance Family,
So sorry for your loss. I met Jim years ago when I was selling houses for Ace Custom Homes. He watched over the homes in Gibsonburg that were built & he would show them to prospective customers. Very nice gentleman, nice to have known him.
God bless.
Mary Hart
November 13, 2015
I'm so saddened to hear the loss of Jim in an auto accident. He was so friendly and always had a smile on his face. He was very active in his community and country and will be greatly missed by many. My heart goes out to family in this time of sorrow.
John Glass
November 13, 2015
So sorry to hear of Jim passing. Spent many years with him while working for the Village always so upbeat! He will be missed.
John and Brenda Havens
November 13, 2015
We met Jim last year in Columbus at the OTA Conference. What a special man with a hug heart. You are all in our prayers.
With love,
DAVE RODD
November 13, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jody Clark
November 13, 2015
Kathy and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Jim was a great man and will be missed dearly. He was so committed to supporting Gibsonburg sporting events and my family and I enjoyed his company this past season at every home football game.
November 13, 2015
To the Vallance Family, our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. Bill and Barbara Dudley
Robert and Beverly Brown
November 13, 2015
Kathy, Stephen, Stefanie and your families,
Words can't describe the feelings we are experiencing. Our prayers are for you in this time need. May God Bless you.
November 13, 2015
Our hearts are filled with grief over the unexpected loss of Jim. We have enjoyed the gift of his huge smile, warm hugs and wonderful stories over the last 44 years. Our sincere sympathy to you Kathy, Stephan, Stephanie and your entire family.
Pam & Bob Vollmar
November 13, 2015
Our hearts are filled with grief at the unexpected loss of Jim. We have enjoyed the gift of his huge smile, hugs and wonderful stories over the years. We have been blessed to have both of you as our friends for the last 44 years. Our sincere sympathy to you Kathy, Stephan, Stephanie and extended family.
Anita Printy
November 13, 2015
Kathy, Stephen & Stefanie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, in this time of overwhelming loss. Jim always made me laugh/smile. His happiness and positivity was contagious! May you find comfort in knowing that his life impacted many.
Roy and Linda Copley
November 13, 2015
So sorry to hear about Jim,sympathy to all of you.
Dennis & MJ Sandwisch
November 13, 2015
Kathy and family. So sorry for your loss. Have known you both for a long time and know how much he will be missed.
November 13, 2015
Kathy and Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Jim will be missed. You are in our prayers.
Andrew and Terri Dean
Dave Krupp
November 13, 2015
Kathy,Steve, and Stephanie, Sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kathy and Dave
November 13, 2015
JAMES VALLANCE AND FAMILY, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. John 6:40. Marguerite Hyde Toledo, Ohio.
Sandra Sheffer-Walleman
November 13, 2015
Dear Kathy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember Jim's big smile and friendly personality. May God surround you and comfort you in your grief.
Lucy Mathia
November 13, 2015
Kathy and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Jim was such a fun loving person who will be missed by all who knew him.
Tom and Lucy Mathia and family
Bill and Ruth Auxter
November 12, 2015
Kathy and Family.... So sorry for your loss.... Our thoughts and prayers are with you....
Showing 1 - 44 of 44 results
Make a Donation
in James Vallance's name
Memorial Events
for James Vallance
Funeral services provided by:
Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Crematory319 West Madison Street, Gibsonburg, OH 43431
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor James Vallance's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored