Volunteer work included serving as Bluffton Lions Club president
James "Jim" Bemiller, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023. He grew up in the farm country of north central Ohio and lived in Mansfield for 47 years, before moving to Bluffton in 2010.
Jim was born on April 26, 1937, in Johnsville, Ohio, to the late Lee and Lucille (VanBuren) Bemiller. He was a 1955 Honors Graduate of Fredericktown High School and he enjoyed serving as an officer in Future Farmers of America, and working the family farm with his parents and siblings. He was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and earned his B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1959. He went on to earn his M.S. in Rural Sociology in 1961, and an M.S. in Social Work in 1963, both from Ohio State.
While in graduate school he met and married the love of his life, Joan L. (Pence) Bemiller, in 1961, and together they built a strong and caring family. They were a loving team and enjoyed traveling, camping, supporting their children and grandchildren in their pursuits, and visiting with family and friends. Jim and Joan shared 52 wonderful years together until her passing on April 22, 2013.
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Jim forged a life dedicated to his family and community. He served as a case manager for Richland County Children Services focusing on foster care and adoptions until his retirement due to vision loss from Retinitis Pigmentosa, which led to blindness in his mid ‘30s. He continued to serve children of the community in Richland County when he directed the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program for 15 years. He served on the boards of the Mental Health Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Volunteers of America. He and Joan also helped establish the Mansfield Area Loss of Vision Support Group. He was a member of the Allen County Low Vision Coalition Group and the Starlight Club for visually impaired persons.
Jim was also a dedicated member of Lions International and enjoyed serving as President of both the Bellville and Bluffton clubs during his 33 years of service. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship which embodies the humanitarian spirit of Lionism. He also established and enjoyed the Euchre Club at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. Jim loved working on his 1931 Model A Ford and was thankful for his friends at the Copus Hill Model A Club.
Jim had a deep love for his family and friends and cherished his time with them. He took great joy in his children, Jimmy, Jackie, and Julie, their spouses, his ten grandchildren and two great grandsons, and treasured the times when they could all be together. Special thanks to all his friends who volunteered to assist him with transportation and support over the years. Jim’s phone calls and conversations will be sorely missed.
Jim is survived by his children, James (Missy) Bemiller of Knoxville, TN, Jacqueline (Mark) Bourassa of Bluffton,OH, and Julia (Steve) Grunewald of Freeport, IL.; his grandchildren Kelsey (Scott) Holtzman and Elizabeth Grace Bemiller of Knoxville, TN; Jonah (Keely) Bourassa and Eli Bourassa of Terre Haute, IN; Andrea and Elizabeth Bourassa of Bluffton, OH, Haley (Gary) Hill of Loves Park, IL.; Cassidy (Caeden) Grunewald of Charlotte, NC, Nicholas and Bentley Grunewald of Freeport IL., and his great grandchildren, Hayes and Mack Holtzman of Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus-Grove Bluffton Rd., Bluffton Ohio 45817, with a brief Lions service to follow. Visitation will continue Friday, June 16 at the Snyder Funeral Home, Lexington Avenue, Lexington OH44904 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. where funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Shauck Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bluffton Lions Club, P.O. Box 223, Bluffton Oh 45817.
Jim will be remembered for his courageous determination to thrive despite his visual impairment and his unwavering dedication to his family and community. He was an inspiration to those who met him and he will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.
Snyder Funeral Homes, Lexington Avenue Chapel is honored to serve his family. Share a memory at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com/
