James Merton Warthman

James M. Warthman, 87, of Alma, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center in St. Louis, Mi.  James was born on July 24, 1934, son of the late Charles and Luella (Knipe) Warthman, in Logan, Ohio. He was the youngest of eleven siblings.  James graduated from Logan High School in 1952.  After high school James served in the Army during the Korean conflict from 1953 – 1955.  Shortly after returning home, James moved to Oil City and married his first wife, Donna J. Turner on August 23, 1956.  They were married for 37 years before her death in 1993. James worked for Total Petroleum for more than 38.5 years before his retirement in 1994.   During this time, he found enjoyment in raising dogs for pheasant hunting and continued the season with whitetail deer hunting.  James was lucky enough to marry his second wife, Janet Spach, in Alma at the Trinity Baptist Church on July 12, 1997.  During their retirement years, they enjoyed deer hunting and traveling in their fifth wheel, coast to coast with friends and family.   James was an avid Ohio State Buckeye football fan and rarely missed a game on Saturday. He took pride in grooming his yard and extended his care to the church lawn.   James was a member of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, where he served as a deacon for many years and overseer with the young usher boys.  He will be missed by so many.  James is survived by his wife, Janet; stepchildren, Michelle Becker of Crystal, Christine Peterson of Alma, and Deborah (Rich) Ballard of Sheridan; grandchildren, Brandon Whitney, Chelsey (Rusty) Peterson, Garrett (Kelly) Whitney, Grant (Amber) Moreland, Kylee Peterson, Abbey (Cal) Moreland, Brent Peterson and Annikka (Dallas) Mills; 11 great grandchildren; in laws; Elmer (Jenny) Spach, Beverly (Ron) Link and Glen (Dolores) Spach; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by both parents; first wife, Donna; siblings, Willis, Marie, Fay, Clara, Earl, Lawrence, Helen, Eleanor, Garnet and Nola; grandchildren, Derek Whitney, Holly Moreland and Kerry Moreland. James's funeral services will be held 11 a.m., on Friday January 28, 2022, at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Following the service, all are invited to a luncheon at the church.   James will be laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 27, 2022, for visitation 4 p.m. -7 p.m. at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant (5282 E. Airport Rd.), Community Baptist Church in Alma (1325 W. Superior St.) and Global Compassion Ministry. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.