Jim Grummel

Jim Grummel Sr.

My Dad

"My dad was born on the 3rd of January, 1945 in Tiffin, OH. He married Mary, the love of his life in 1967 and they have been together ever since. I came along the very next year. Two years later, my sister Wendi was born and his family was complete. For years, I thought my dad wore a cape. He was my superhero. He inspired me to love the things he did: camping, classic cars, motorcycles, boating, hunting, and hockey… passions I still have to this day. He also loved the Green Bay Packers. He lost me on that one. His service in the Coast Guard inspired me to join the Navy. I know that made him proud. What made me proud was how he treated everyone around him. I don’t know anyone who didn’t like him. He was a fair boss, a good friend, a wonderful husband and a great dad. If I end up being half the man he was, I will be a truly great man indeed. Thank you, dad. We will all miss you."

Jim passed away on Sunday, September 21, surrounded by the people who loved him. He was born in Tiffin, Ohio on January 3, 1945, to Mary Lou and Raymond Grummel.

His family moved to Toledo when he was 8. He went to grade school at Gesu and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1963. After graduation he joined the Coast Guard and was in the Coast Guard Reserves. After discharge he managed an Ontario and then Bargain City store in Toledo. The oldest of four, he was always looked up to as the big brother. His younger sisters, Teri and Carolyn always referred to him as "the biggest". He entered a twist contest at the Penguin Club with his sister Barb, and even though he had two left feet, they won the contest, and he learned the Bossa Nova. He married Mary Rahm, his high school sweetheart on August 5, 1967, and they had two children, Jim Jr. and Wendi.

After years of managerial experience, he took over EsCargo Expediting, calling it the "delicacy of delivery". This became Group 4 Expediting and Jim continued to own and operate it until his retirement. Jim began having health problems after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2003 and eventually went on kidney dialysis. Wherever Jim went, whether camping, boating or going to dialysis, he made lifelong friends that became his family. Many thanks to his dialysis caregivers for 13 years of compassionate care. He passed his passion for the Green Bay Packers on to his daughter, Wendi. He was kind and enjoyed having people around.

Jim loved his family and was a proud grandfather to Brittani Furlong, and Julia, Derrion and Jalen Grummel. He will be missed by his wife, Mary Grummel, his children, Jim Jr. [Nicky] Grummel and Wendi Furlong, his sisters, Barb Grummel, Teri [Denny] McPartland and Carolyn Grummel, special friends, Sally Keller, Carol Fornia, Dylan Saul, and his large extended family. We will miss you Jim.

We will honor the life of this great man on September 30th, 2025, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, with a visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a short service after. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Cherry St. Mission and to H.O.O.V.E.S.