James William Jim Blumer

James William Blumer, age 93, formerly of Perrysburg Township and now residing at Swan Creek in Toledo, Ohio, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018. He was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania on May 19, 1924 to William Aaron and Fannie (Marsteller) Blumer. He married the former DeLois (Dee) Taylor on October 8, 1948, in Rochester, New York. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2017. He is survived by his three adult children: Thomas (Barbara) Blumer, Corning, NY; Gretchen (Thomas) Gaul, Amherst, NH; and Susan (Gregory) Bergman, Simpsonville, SC. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Jim was a prominent glass-industry executive, retiring in 1982 as President of Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Division after 34 years with the company. He then served another ten years as group vice president of marketing and sales at Glasstech, Inc. He had been a director of Libbey-Owens-Ford, First Federal Savings and Loan, and Ottawa Rubber Company. Jim grew up in East Rochester, NY, where he enrolled in the University of Rochester after graduating as valedictorian from East Rochester High School in 1942. But with World War II in full swing, he was drafted into the United States Navy the following year and attended several service schools, ultimately becoming an electronics instructor. He was assigned to Naval Reserve Officers Training at Columbia University, where he completed a year of college-level studies. Following his three years of wartime service, he returned to the University of Rochester and graduated in 1948 with a BS degree in Applied Optics. At the university he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and played varsity basketball, becoming team captain in his senior year. Jim was a longtime board member and past president of Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio. He was vice-chairman of the Toledo-area United Way’s employee giving group, and served as an account executive in the United Way Crusade of Mercy campaigns. He was also a longtime trustee of the Toledo Metropolitan YMCA and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He was also a founding member Capital Associates Stock Club which is still thriving today. Additionally he was a member and past president and director of Belmont Country Club and held a membership at the Toledo Club. His professional affiliations included memberships in the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Optical Society of America, and the American Defense Preparedness Association. He was also a knight of the Flat Glass Roundtable Association. The Blumers belong to All Saints Catholic Church in Rossford, Ohio. Jim enjoyed sports. He played organized basketball throughout high school, college, his time in the Navy, and into his adult life. He was an avid golfer and tennis player. He enjoyed fishing and card playing. He developed his love of sports during his camp counselor days in New Jersey and Maine. He was a strong supporter and mentor of his children’s sporting activities as well. The family will receive visitors for Mr. Blumer at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home 222 E. S. Boundary St. Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 (419-874-3133) on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Church, 626 Lime City Road, Rossford, Ohio. Burial services will be private. The family requests contributions be sent to Ohio Living Swan Creek or to a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers. Online condolences to the family may be made at witzlershank.com