James Vallance

James "Jim" Meryle Vallance, age 72, died on Tuesday, Nov. 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, Nov. 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.