James K. Walter

James K. "Jim" Walter, 75, of Fremont, died late Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Toledo Hospital. He was born on March 28, 1936 in Fremont to Kenneth and Laura (Karlovetz) Walter. Jim was a 1954 graduate of St. Joseph High School, attended various colleges studying banking and marketing and he was a 1978 graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He served a number of years in the National Guard. On October 22, 1960 he married Jeanne Snyder at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont and she survives. Jim retired from Croghan Colonial Bank after 42 years with the organization. His retirement was effective March 31, 2001. Jim was honored at a retirement gathering at the bank by his co-workers. He was the Senior Vice President and Officer-In-Charge of commercial loans. His career began in May 1959 when he was hired as a teller. He later managed the east branch office and was promoted to Vice President in 1980. Jim became Senior Vice President in 1988. He also served as Vice President and Secretary for Croghan Bancshares Inc., the bank's parent company. He was a former basketball player at St. Joseph High School. Jim was a member and past President of the Fremont Exchange Club, Treasurer of the Fremont Elks Lodge and the Ottawa County Harness Horseman's Association and board member of the St. Francis Health Care Center Foundation and the city of Fremont revolving loan fund. He was a past President and Treasurer of the United Way, Civil Service Commission and Harness Racing Signature Series where he was a former Treasurer. Jim was also named 1996 Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County. Jim was an Exchangite since 1970 and was a past Golden Deeds Award winner. He also was a Liberty Bell Award Recipient. Jim served on the Our Ladies of the Pines Fund Development and Marketing Committee for about 2 years. He was particularly active on the Evergreen Elegance Dinner committee, an Oakwood Cemetery Association past President and numerous other local organizations. Jim was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Surviving are his children, Jerome P. "Jerry" (Paulette Tiell) Walter of Tiffin and Jane Ann (Scott) Johnston of Cleveland; brother, Thomas (Diane) Walter of Fremont. He is preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 2-8 p.m. and Monday, March 26, 2012 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church at 11:30 a.m. on Monday with Rev. Ken Lill officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to Exchange Club of Fremont, OH, P.O.Box 1034, Fremont, OH 43420 in Jim's memory.