James E. Purney

James E. Purney, 74, of Genoa, died Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at his home. He was born September 30, 1938, in Clay Center, Ohio, to Elden and Edith Cornell Purney. On July 23, 1960, in Williston, Ohio, he married Janet Oberhaus, who survives. Jim retired from the Ohio Dept. of Transportation as superintendent of Ottawa Co. Dist. #2. He began his fire service in Clay Center in the late 1950s, where he was also a Clay Center police officer. Jim retired from the Clay-Genoa Vol. Fire Dept. as chief in 1988. He had also worked as a Genoa police officer and the zoning inspector for Clay Township and had once worked for Rays Electronics. Jim was an avid bowler and a jack of all trades. He was self-taught on computers-learning how they worked and creating computer systems from scratch. In addition to his wife, Janet, Jim is survived by his family: son, Scott Amy Purney of Fremont, grandchildren, Ethan Johnson, Drew and Jeremy Purney, great grandson, Ethan Johnson, Jr.; daughter, Cheryl James Binienda of Toledo, grandchildren, Courtney Jesse Miranda, James Amanda Binienda and Brittany Brent Skiver, great granddaughter, Bailey Miranda and great grandson, Drake Miranda; daughter, Debra Kolasinski Eddie Stanley of Perrysburg, grandchildren, Emily, Abigail, Kyle and Bethanie Kolasinski and Anabelle Stanley, great grandson, Graison Kolasinski and great granddaughter, Adeline Wittler; son-in-law, Mark Kolasinski; and sister, Joyce Carlos Weiker of Green Springs. His parents preceded him in death. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2012, in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. The funeral service will be conducted 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 3, 2012, in the funeral home in conjunction with the firemens service. Interment will follow in Clay Township Cemetery. The family has suggested memorials for Jim to the Allen-Clay Joint Fire Dist. #3, 101 E. 6th St., Genoa, OH 43430; or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551.