James L. Oberly, 97, died Dec. 31, 2018, at the Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora. James was born Aug. 27, 1921, to the late Reno and Bertha (Hochstettler) Oberly. On July 10, 1943, he married Betty Moffitt Oberly who preceded him in death on April 30, 2001.
James retired from Cooper Tire in Findlay and was also a farmer. He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Lima Moose Lodge #199, American Legion Post #382, Bluffton, the VFW and the Bluffton Senior Citizens. James enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and was served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice (Bud) McIntosh of Bluffton, Jean (Stan) Clum of Harrod; a son, Mark (Carla) Oberly of Harrod; 11 grandchildren, Jeff (Holly) Weihrauch, Mike (Michele) Weihrauch, Steve (Annie) Weihrauch, Bryan (Barb) Clum, Bruce (Amber) Clum, Brad (Samantha) Clum, Brent (Heather) Clum, Brett (Tami) Clum, Amanda (Kellen) Dunlap, Derrick (Courtney) Oberly, Ann (Dale) Perkins; 30 great grandchildren and one on the way; two great great grandchildren; a brother, Wade Oberly of Bluffton and a sister, Marilyn (Reldon) Schirch of Mountain Hills, Arizona.
James was preceded in death by a daughter, Debby Konopka; a grandson, Mark Niemeyer; and three sisters, Dorothy Porter, Bernice Reichenbach and Marjorie Davis.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. Pastor Tom Dearth officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bluffton Senior Center.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
