James R. Mathias

James R. Mathias, 71, of Fremont, passed away on January 10, 2020 at Bethesda Care Center. He was born on January 13, 1948 to James H. and Shirley (Kiser) Mathias in Fremont, Ohio. James graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1966. He married Paula Fausey on October 22, 1976 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fremont, and she survives.

James volunteered to serve two tours with the United States Army in Vietnam and later joined the National Guard following his discharge from the Army. Following his service, James worked as a press operator for Whirlpool until he retired in 2007. Even in his retirement, James never stopped moving. As a member of the canon crew for civil war re-enactments, James participated in battles all over the United States. He had the honor of shooting canons at four Presidential Centers as well as being invited to participate with the re-enactments on the battlefields at Gettysburg. James also went on mission trips to Biloxi, MS, where he would help care for the homeless and homeless veterans. In addition, he was a life member of the VFW and a member of the First United Church of Christ. Out of all his hobbies, James’s greatest enjoyment was watching his granddaughters show their cattle at the fair.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Paula Mathias, children; Jamie (Brad) Stearns, Brian “Buzz” Mathias all of Fremont, and grandchildren; Karli and Hailey Stearns. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth L. Mathias.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at First United Church of Christ, 1500 Tiffin Road, Fremont, OH, 43420. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am at the church with military honors to follow. Pastor William Walk will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Sandusky County, 1315 N. River Road, Fremont, OH, 43420 or donor's choice.

Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home, Fremont, OH, has had the honor of providing services to the Mathias family.