Former Bluffton mayor, James Porter King, 87, died May 16, 2021, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Porter was born April 3, 1934, in Mt. Cory, Ohio, to the late Marco and Mamie (Smith) King. On May 6, 1953, he married Nancy Steinman King who survives.

Porter was a graduate of Cory-Rawson High School. He retired from Triplett Corporation, Bluffton, where he had been the chief financial officer. Porter was an avid stamp collector and was a University of Michigan fan, history and political buff and enjoyed golf. 

He attended Ebenezer Mennonite Church in Bluffton. Porter served on Bluffton village council and served as mayor from 1976-1979, 1984 - 1987 and 1996-2000. In 1996, he coined the phrase "Bluffton - the crown jewel of Allen County."

Survivors include his wife, Nancy King of Bluffton; three children, Jim (Pat) King, Susan (Donnie Donovan) King, Lora (Dave) Basinger all of Bluffton; six grandchildren, Elizabeth (Chris) Boisvert, Hannah (Wade) Slechter, Mary (Joey) Cherry, Bethany (Seven) Tolgar, Diana Basinger, Kathryn Basinger; 10 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jonah and Jora Boisvert, Evey, Josie, and Avonlea Slechter, Jax and Jett Cherry, Kamille and Sienna Tulgar and a brother Joe King of Florida. 

Porter was preceded in death by four sisters, Florice Anderson, Phyllis Pundt, Maureen Geren, Louise King and two brothers, Dean King and Robert King.

There will be a private family gathering to remember Porter.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Road, Bluffton, Ohio 45817, Bluffton Community Assistance Program, P.O. Box 52, Bluffton, Ohio 45817 or Putnam County Homecare & Hospice, 575 Ottawa-Glandorf Road #3, Ottawa, Ohio 45875. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.