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James Ward Wimer

5c3907555f1daJames Ward Wimer, age 85, of Fombell, PA, formerly of West Milford, NJ and Mantua, OH, died on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at the Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, PA.

He was born December 27, 1933 in Portersville, PA, son of the late Norman J. and Harriet (Ward) Wimer.

On April 25, 1953 he married Eleanor V. (Sullivan) Wimer at the Park United Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, PA, who died May 11, 2015.

They were married for 62 years.

The married couple went together to Eleanor’s Senior Prom at Ellwood City High School in 1953.

He was raised in Portersville, PA and Fombell, PA, then as a young adult for reasons of employment, Jim moved his family to Morrisville, PA near Philadelphia for a short time, then later settled in West Milford, NJ where he and his wife raised their son and daughter during their school years.

They always pushed their children to attend college, which both successfully completed.

Jim was first a fabricator in a shop in New Jersey for Raymond International, a pipe lining company, then after their children left high school and moved onto college, Jim took a promotion to Foreman which allowed him and his wife to travel around the country in a travel trailer from job to job, from coast to coast.

He later took a Superintendent job with Utilicon Corporation (also a pipe lining company) of Cleveland, OH for several years.

Jim loved to work and never really officially retired.

At the age of 70 for a few years he would work for the company in Washington DC supervising jobs.

Even at the age of 80 he still did some odds and ends for the company.

Jim also enjoyed ‘captaining’ his ski boats over the years, and hunting in the Pennsylvania woods with his father, son, and grandson.

Though at times a man of few words, Jim connected with people everywhere he ventured, and over the years he, and Eleanor, enjoyed interacting with folks who were endeared to both of them. He was kind, generous, expected little of others, and taught his children the meaning of gratitude.

They became life-long friends instantly of many.

As a couple in partial retirement, the Wimer’s loved to travel in their motor home, most especially to Nascar races in Bristol, Charlotte and Indianapolis; visiting their daughter near Charlotte, NC, their son in Tionesta. PA; and spending winters in Seminole, FL. with their dearest and lifelong friends.

As a younger couple while still in New Jersey raising their family they always made time to spend Thanksgiving, weekends at the lake, and vacations with their dear friends, the Bob Simmons Family.

They were most happy when their children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and other relatives, came to visit.

Even as Jim’s ailments weakened him in recent months, he could be depended on to engage proudly in conversation about his marriage to Eleanor, his children and their accomplishments, and his adventures of with his family and friends.

Surviving are a son, Norman J. Wimer and his wife Patty of Tionesta, PA. A daughter, Linda W. Gilardi and her husband David of Cornelius, NC. Three grandchildren, Norman James “Jim” Wimer Jr of Portersville, PA; Jeanie E. Cleveland and her husband Josh of Beaver Falls, PA; Lori Mapstone of Butler, PA. Four Great grandchildren; Daymon Cleveland of Beaver Falls, Brittney Leadbetter and her husband Chase of Mayport, PA; Marcus Townsend and Dajah Frederick and her husband Kyle, all of Butler, PA. Two great-great grandchildren, Barrett Leadbetter and Tori Frederick.

Three sisters, Twila Young and her husband Leroy of New Sewickley Township, Beaver County; Elizabeth “Liz” Wright and her husband Robert of Fombell; and Joyce Laufer and her husband James of West Union, SC. Several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 324 E. Grandview Ave. Zelienople, PA 16063 on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8. Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11 am at the funeral home with Pastor Randy L. Evans, Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice Chaplain officiating, who is longtime friend of Jim and the family.

Burial at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Butler, PA.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta.

Online condolences may be made at www.wimerfuneralhome.com.

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