T. James O'Neill, 79, passed away at 10:30 p.m., Friday at his residence in rural Middle Point.

He was born on October 3, 1938, in Putnam County, Ohio, the son of the late James W. O'Neill and Ann E. (Adams) Townsend. On November 18, 1961, he married the former Janet Louise Shaffer who died on March 23, 2015. He is also preceded in death by his step-father, Merle Townsend and a step brother, Larry Townsend.

Family survivors include his three children, Kevin J. (Connie) O'Neill of New Bremen, Ohio, Cheryl (Shawn) Klinker of Van Wert, and Brian (Jody) O'Neill of Rockford; nine grandchildren, Logan (Becky), Adam, and Jacob O'Neill, Shelby (Adam) Rohrbaugh, Kyle (Jen), Allison (David) and Gretchen Klinker, Nathan and Elaina O'Neill; three great grandchildren, Cameron James and Louis Haydn O'Neill and Declan Lewis Klinker; a brother, Patrick (Phyllis) O'Neill of Mendon; and a step-brother, Bill Townsend.

James was a 1957 graduate of Mendon-Union High School and served in the Ohio National Guard from 1957 to 1963. He retired as the owner of Stewart House of Spice. He had coached Little League Baseball in Venedocia for 13 years and was an avid constitutionalist.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2018, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home with John Rager officiating. Interment will follow at Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township. Calling hours are 12 noon until time of service on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to the Venedocia Lions Club.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com.