James C. Stemen

James C. Stemen, 90, of Bucyrus died early Friday, October 30, 2015 at Mill Creek Nursing in Galion where he was residing in recent months due to declining health.



He was born September 2, 1925 in Lima, Ohio to the late Harold and Margaret (Davis) Stemen. He was in the Bucyrus High School Class of 1943 where he played football and was in school plays. He moved to Lima where he graduated from Shawnee High School before joining the US Navy serving aboard the Infantry Landing Craft, USS LCI(L)-1022 in the South Pacific as a Radio Man and was the last survivor of a very close-knit crew. He was proud of his affiliations in local service organizations with Life Membership in American Legion Col. Crawford Post 181, VFW Post 1078, and AmVets Post 27.



Jim sold hardware and farm machinery insurance, then worked for WA Riddel, Ohio Locomotive Crane, and Crawford Steel before becoming a banker. He worked at Farmers Citizens Bank for 40 years, retiring as Executive Vice President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was also a board member of Ryder-Heil Bronze for 29 years. Jim married the love of his life, the former Joan C. Worden on August 24, 1963.



Jim loved his community and its organizations. He was Past President and named Boss of the Year by the Jaycees; Board member of Junior Achievement; Past Chairman of Bucyrus Police Relief and Pension Commission; Past Treasurer of the Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman of the Crawford County Chapter of the American Red Cross; Deputy Clerk of Courts for Crawford County; Past President of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary; member of Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association; Past President of the Central Ohio Crime Clinic; and served many years on Local Draft Board 18 of the Selective Service System. Jim was a member of Elks Lodge 156 and its oldest living Past Exalted Ruler and he was Past Trustee of Moose Lodge 669.



At 38, Jim took up golfing and this became a life’s passion. He was a charter member of Valley View Golf Course and got to play rounds all over the United States. He also loved Ohio State football and basketball, enjoyed eating out and sitting back to take in an old western movie on television. He formerly worshiped at St. Paul’s Lutheran and was currently a member of the Bucyrus United Methodist Church.



Jim was an outgoing and sociable person who could strike up a conversation about anything with friends and strangers alike. His emcee skills were put to use for 25 years throughout central Ohio at Bucyrus Chamber banquets, Valley View Round-Up banquets and Legion Past Commander banquets among others. His knack for storytelling and hosting will long be remembered by those privileged to be in attendance.



Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan Stemen; two daughters, Linda (Don) Thompson of Green Valley, Arizona and Sally Stemen and her friend, Jim Brown of North Baltimore, Ohio; four grandchildren, Paige Axtell, Amy (Tom) Wonnell, and Joey (Steph) Johnson; step grandson, Chris Thompson; eight great grandchildren, Kelsey Johnson, Walter Johnson, Luke Wonnell, Abbie Wonnell, Kyle Axtell, and David Axtell; sister, Margaret Horstman of Williamston, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Margery Gledhill, Judy (Sam) Eichhorn, Mary Worden, Pearl Graf, and Mary Ann (Worden) Kerdieff; brother-in-law, James (Bonnie) Worden; along with many nieces and nephews, including Charlene Donahey DeVault and Cheryl Phillips and her sons, Bryce and Jaxson.



In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by siblings, Eloise Donahey, Betty Shingledecker, and Don Stemen; in-laws, Ralph and Cleo Worden; brothers-in-law, Glen and Rodney Worden; and his niece, Katie (Worden) Annett.



Jim’s family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, November 3 and one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday. His funeral will begin at 11:00 am on Wednesday with Pastor Mike Corwin officiating and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by the US Navy and American Legion Honor Guards.



Memorial donations can be made to HomeCare Matters, Gifts for Yanks or the Bucyrus UMC Memorial Fund through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Memories can be shared on his Tribute Wall.