James R. Ickes Sr.

James R. Ickes Sr., 85, of 1529 Crater Ave., Dover and had previously resided for 35 years in Strasburg died peacefully Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in Union Hospital following a brief illness.

Jim retired in 1989 as a Lift Truck Operator for the Marlite Corporation where he worked for nearly forty years.

Born February 3, 1929 in Wadsworth, Ohio, he was the son of the late Walter E. and Verna F. (Robb) Ickes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Walter E. Ickes Jr. and a niece Karen Ann Ickes.

Jim was a member of the St. John United Church of Christ in Strasburg where he served as an usher and greeter. He was a 1947 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He was a longtime volunteer for Mobile Meals at Union Hospital thru the retired Senior Volunteer program since 1989 and was recognized in 2010 for having over 5000 volunteer hours (the most of any volunteer). He was also a volunteer for the Share program at Strasburg. He was a life member of the Ohio Gun Collectors Assn., member of the Tuscarawas County Senior Citizens at Memorial Hall, Life member of the NRA, Civil War Roundtable in Dover, Tuscarawas County Senior Center, Strasburg AARP, and was an avid gun and WWII collector of German and Japanese memorabilia and civil war collectibles.

He married the love of his life Betty Louise (Schupbach) Ickes in Greenup, Kentucky and would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this July 8; two children, James Richard (Linda) Ickes Jr. of North Olmsted and Kevin Carl (Christa) Ickes of Dover; six grandchildren, Shari (Brian) Insley, Adric Ickes, Nanci, Curtis, Jeffrey and Kellyn Ickes; three great grandsons, Solomon and Isaiah Casler and David Insley and one expected great granddaughter, Julia; a brother, Kenneth (Muriel) Ickes of Tacoma, Washington and a sister in law, Jeanne M. Ickes of Dover; four nephews, Alan Ickes, Timothy Ickes, Brian Ickes, Karl J. (Leandra) Ickes, three nieces, Susan (Clyde) Penrod, Gretchen Seran, and Corrine Mattes; sister in law, Sally (Clem) Westbrook, nephew, Terry (Joy) Westbrook; niece, Cindy (Frank) Bleininger and several great niece and great nephews.

Rev. G. Marlene Peterson will officiate a family graveside service at a later date in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Those who may wish to express a fond memory of Jim may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "Obituaries and Flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or the St. John United Church of Christ (Organ Fund) , 516 N. Wooster Ave., Strasburg, Ohio 44680.