James C. Casper

James C. Casper, age 85, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Goerlich Center. The son of James and Faye Casper, he was born September 25, 1930 in Canton, OH. He was a 1949 graduate of Canton Lehman High School. Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1953 from Mount Union College where he was class president and played football and basketball. He received his Masters of Science in Education at the University of Toledo in 1958 and later attended the Guidance and Counseling Institute on a full grant. Jim began a long career in education at Waite High School as counselor, Asst. Principal, coach and Athletic Director from 1953-1966 as well as serving as treasurer for Toledo Summer School for 13 years. From 1966-1968, he was an Assistant Principal at Start High School. The highlight of his career was the 24 years as the Principal for Ottawa Hills High School from 1968-1992. After his retirement from OHHS, he was Coordinator of Teacher Placement at the University of Toledo College of Education from 1994-2001 and enjoyed being a courier for Signature Bank. During his career in Education, Jim was selected as the Secondary Principal of the Year and received the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Leadership Award in Education. In 2007 he was inducted into the Ottawa Hills Community Foundation Hall of Fame and in 2008, the Mount Union Alumni Hall of Fame for Excellence in Education. Jim was a leader in several professional organizations: Phi Delta Kappa, Ohio North Central Association, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, and the Editorial Board of American Education. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve and was a member of the WGTE Channel 30 board of directors, active in Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and served on the Board of Directors at St. Francis de sales High School. A faithful member of Gesu Catholic Church for over 50 years, he served on the Board of Directors, Chairman of Finance Committee, Lector and Commentator. Jim will be remembered as a man of great integrity and faith. He was extremely devoted to his wife, Suzanne (Schlageter), the love of his life. He treasured his family and friends and his legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren and the students of the many institutions he served. A mentor to many, Jim was an honest, kind, fair, dedicated, hard working and a true gentleman. He enjoyed athletics, especially Mount Union football, summers at the Jersey shore and on lake Erie, marching band music and his poker club for 50 years. Jim left an impression on all those he met. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Suzanne; children Patti (Tim) Mikac, Cathy Smith, Lisa (Jim) Wheeler, Kevin (Lynn Szaroleta) Casper, Brent (Ami Reed) Casper; grandchildren, Emily, Andrew, Joe, and Sarah Mikac, Lindsay (Joe) Smith Lyden, Regan J. Smith, Lauren, Jake, Megan, and Nick Wheeler, Elizabeth, Jordan Casper, Lucy, James, Luke and Reagan Casper; great grandchildren, Jackson and Emma Lyden. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Casper; sister Ida Mae Billheimer; and son-in-law Regan Smith. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday from 2-8 PM at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.). Funeral Services will begin with prayers at the funeral home at 10:15 AM Thursday follow by a funeral Mass at Gesu Catholic Church 2049 Parkside Blvd. Toledo, OH 43607 at 11:00 AM. Those planning an expression of Sympathy are asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio 30000 River Rd Perrysburg, OH 43551 or Gesu Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com. The family would like to thank the nurses and staffs of Kingston of Sylvania, Goerlich Center and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their care and dedication to Jim and continued care of Suzanne.