James A. Hilgefort, 74, Fort Loramie, passed away of natural causes in the late evening of Feb. 20, 2015, at the James Cancer Hospital, Columbus.

He was born March 20, 1940, in Fort Loramie, to the late Mathias and Adele (Hoelscher) Hilgefort. On April 20, 1968, at St. Rose Catholic Church, St. Rose, he married Judith (Hartings) Hilgefort, who survives.

Also surviving are four children, Sue and Joe Hoehne, Anna, Cindy and Kevin Schlegel, Sidney, Donna and Tedd Stachler, New Bremen, and Pam Standley and Craig Raney, Wapakoneta; five grandchildren, Amanda, Bridget and Courtney Hoehne, and Jared and Jace Standley; four siblings, Karl and Kathy Hilgefort, Fort Loramie, Ruth Bruggeman, Maria Stein, Kate Schemmel, Sidney, and Linda and John Poynter, Troy; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Pat and Paul Dwenger, New Bremen, and Linda Homan, St. Henry.

Deceased is a brother-in-law, Richard Bruggeman.

He was a 1958 graduate of Fort Loramie High School. He was retired from Wayne Trail Technologies, where he had been employed 35 years. He attended St. Michael Catholic Church, Fort Loramie, where he served as an adult funeral Mass server and collection counter, and had tended bar at St. Michael's Hall for 40 years. He was a member of Walk-Up Country Club and the Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 1391.

He will be remembered most for his devoted membership to the Knights of St. John Commandery 300 and Uniform Rank. Over the years, he served as Uniform Rank local, district and grand treasurer. He also had been a past president of the local commandery and past Uniform Rank commander. He obtained 4th Degree and Noble Degree of the Kentucky Temple. In 1995, he was named Knight of the Year at the Cincinnati Grand Convention. In his leisure, he also enjoyed acquiring collectibles at estate auctions.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael Catholic Church, Fort Loramie, the Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.