Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014
James Borchers
James "Jim" A. Borchers, 93, Versailles, formerly of Newport, passed away of natural causes on the evening of Dec. 21, 2014, at the Versailles Health Care Center, Versailles.
He was born Jan. 17, 1921, in Houston, to Frank J. and Emma Rose Boerger Borchers. On Feb. 20, 1946, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Newport, he married Elizabeth "Bettie Ann" Hetzel, who died Sept. 26, 1985. On Nov. 21, 1987, at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, he married Patricia M. Wagner, who survives.
Also surviving are two children, Lucinda "Cindy" J. (Miren) Wical, Newport, and Lee (Billie Jo) Borchers, Salisbury, N.C.; a grandson, Andrew James Borchers; four step-children, Larry (Joann) Wagner, Versailles, Jane (Richard) Willmann, Fort Recovery, Janet (Paul) Pottkotter, St. Henry, and Joyce (Dale) Sherman, Minster; 17 stepgrandchildren; 12 stepgreat-grandchildren; five siblings, Orville Borchers, Versailles, Mary Ann (Roman) Meyer, Coldwater, Alfred (Mildred) Borchers, Minster, Cyril (Dorothy) Borchers, Centerville, and Norma Reardon, Middletown; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Martha Borchers, Houston, Dorvan Phlipot, Versailles, Joan (Earl) Grilliot, Versailles, and Naomi Phlipot, Versailles.
Also deceased are seven siblings, Urban, Paul (Cel), Ken (Dory), and Richard Borchers, Frieda (Floyd) Monnin, Hilda (Ben) York and Betty (Bob) Hibner; three sisters-in-law, Elfrieda, Sally and Marlene Borchers; and a brother-in-law, Ed Reardon.
He was a veteran of World War II. He had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1942. He received radio school training at Ruax Field in Wisconsin before being sent to serve as a radio man with the B-29s in the South Pacific.
He retired in 1983 from Stolle Products in Sidney where he was employed 27 years. He then worked part time for 10 years at Superior Aluminum in Russia. He also had been engaged in farming all of his working life.
He attended St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, and had been a past member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Newport. He was a life member of the Fort Loramie American Legion Post 355, the Sidney VFW Post 4239 and the Covington AMVets Post 1293237. He was also a member of the Versailles Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 2347.
An avid sports fan, he followed football, golf and baseball. In the 1940s he played baseball in the old Western Ohio League. He also enjoyed playing cards, bowling and traveling throughout various parts of the U.S.
Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m., Saturday at St. Denis Church, Versailles, the Rev. James Simons officiating. Burial will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Newport, with full military honors provided by the Fort Loramie American Legion.
Calling is 3-8 p.m. Friday and 9-9:30 a.m. Saturday at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.
Memorials may be given to People First of Auglaize County, the Heritage Center Residential Unit Activity Fund or the Versailles Life Squad.
Condolences may be sent to www.gehretfuneralhome.com.
