James R. "Jim" Abels, age 72, of Fort Recovery, Ohio, died October 20, 2019 at his home. He was born June 28, 1947, in Celina, to the late Urban and Mary (Braun) Abels. On August 16, 1969, he married Nancy (Carper) Abels, who survives.

Also surviving are his two children, Scott (Lori) Abels of Fort Recovery and Jennifer (Elijah) Zamudio of Lima; 9 grandchildren; his siblings, Delores Nieport of St. Henry, Joan Neargarder of Versailles, Paul (Roberta) Abels of St. Henry, and Carroll (Marlene) Abels of Fort Recovery; and sisters-in-law, Dolores Abels of Coldwater and Dolores Schmitz of Coldwater.

He is preceded in death by his grandchild, Trevor; siblings, Elmer Abels, Ralph Abels, Walter (Marceil) Abels, Eugene Abels, and Mary Jane (David) Larger; and brothers-in-law, Anthony Nieport and Marion Neargarder.

Jim was a 1965 graduate of Fort Recovery High School and was a life long dairy and grain farmer. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Sharpsburg, OH, its Holy Name Society, and was a member of the former Mercer County Holstein Club. Jim enjoyed the labors of the farm, following the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Reds, and being with his grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Thursday, October 24, 2019 at St. Paul Catholic Church, with Fr. Christian Cone-Lombarte as celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 pm-8:00 pm Wednesday and 9:00 am-9:45 am Thursday at Brockman - Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Care or the Mercer County Cancer Association. Condolences may be directed to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.