James D. Zifer

James D. Zifer, Sr., 69, of Dover, died Friday, December 24, 2004 following a lengthy illness.

A familiar face to so many, Jim had been self-employed since 1963. Over the years, he had owned and operated several automotive repair and service businesses in Dover and New Philadelphia.

Born April 7, 1935 at Dover, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Tornabene Zifer.

Jim was a 1953 graduate of Dover High School. He later served the school district as a longtime member of the Dover Schools and Buckeye Joint Vocational School boards, including terms as president of both.

He was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover where he served on Parish Council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Dover Elks and the Atwood Yacht Club. Jim honorably served his country in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Dover VFW.

In 2002, he and his loving wife, Nancy Leone Zifer, who survives, were the Host and Hostess for the Tuscarawas County Italian-American festival.

In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by: a son, James D. (Kim) Zifer, Jr. of New Albany; four daughters, Vicky (Steve) Degen of Dublin, Dr. Sally (Kevin) Lauterjung of Akron, Becky (Danny) Due of Upper Arlington, and Amy (Scott) Finnell of Dover; 14 grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Zifer, Jr., and Dick Zifer, both of Dover; and three sisters, Connie Reese and Mary Jane Newhouser of Dover, and Rita Hutras of New Mexico.

Jim was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rosalia.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 28, at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dover with Fr. William Arnold officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery at Dover. Following the burial, a reception will be held in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard.

Friends may call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover on Monday from 4-7 p.m. with a Christian Wake service scheduled at 6:45 p.m.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Jim by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home�(TM)s website.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, or to St. Joseph Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave., Dover.

Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover is handling the arrangements.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com