James L. STREICHER

STREICHER James L. James L. "Big Jim" Streicher passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Birchaven Retirement Village. He was born in 1923. He married his wife, Pauline, on April 21, 1956 and she survives. He is survived by his children, Michael (Sherry) Streicher, Kathleen (Michael) Fritz, Maureen (Jon) Stansbery and Pat (Erika) Streicher. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jackson, Drew (Jen), Scott, Ann, Christine, Samantha, Evan, Ross, Rich and James. Jim was widely known for his energetic and dynamic personality. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After discharge, he attended the University of Toledo and was very active working with the athletic department. He was a good-will ambassador of college athletics and never knew a stranger. He attended his first automobile race in Toledo at the age of 12 which started a life long passion. He was instrumental working with the late Art Morse in building the Quarter Midget track at the Lucas Co. Recreation Center. He pit crewed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1965 for Clint Brawner and Mario Andretti. He raced quarter midgets with his family winning a national Heavy AA title with his son Pat. He won two USAC National Midget owner titles with the late Rich Vogler and one with his son Mike. Jim was a past president of the Glendale, AZ and Northwest Ohio Quarter Midget Racing clubs. He was a past president of the Findlay Area Downtown Merchants Association. He was a past Rotarian, and an active member of the Indy 500 Old Timers. He sold advertising in Toledo, Phoenix and Indianapolis before moving to Findlay to start his own business. In 1969 Jim and his wife, Paulie opened Streicher's Quickprint in Findlay, Ohio. They were recognized in 1977 for their progressive achievements in the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine. They retired in 2000. Visitation will be from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at the Kirkpatrick - Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 623 West Main Cross Street, Findlay with Fr. Mike Hohenbrink celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Michael Parish Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Hancock Veterans Memorial Squad. Memorials may be made to: Aspen & Birch Neighborhood at Birchaven, Birchaven Retirement Village, 15100 Birchaven Lane; Findlay, OH 45840 or the Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Fund, 7901 Sharon Drive; Avon, IN 46123. Online condolences to the family may be made via: www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com