Jim Webber

James A. Webber, known as "Jim", age 73, of Mount Gilead, Ohio passed away peacefully at home with his son, Jason, and wife, Laura, by his side on Monday, February 19th, 2024.

He was born in Galion, Ohio and was the son of the late Grace (Kindler) and (Cecil) Clarence Webber who have both preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Laura (Rinehart), a son, Jason Webber living in Martinsville, Indiana, a daughter-in-law Heather (Dusendschon) Webber, and two grandsons, Channing Webber and Grayson Webber, five brothers, Fred (Soo) Webber, Leo (Rita) Webber, Sam (Deb) Webber, Jerry (Tammy) Webber, and Ernie (Deidra Carver) Webber.

Jim met his wife, Laura Rinehart, at Mount Gilead Dogwood Valley campground on July 4th, 1971. They wed on April 14th, 1973, spending over 50 years together as a couple. Jim was extremely proud of his family and really loved spending time with his grandsons. Having five brothers he had many great adventures and some ornery times as well! Jim graduated in 1970 from Galion High School.

While Jim thoroughly enjoyed fishing and hunting, his greatest moments were spending time with his very large extended family and friends. Get-togethers were extremely important to him. He always looked forward to having a good time with others and loved interacting with his young nieces and nephews as well as older aunts and uncles. To entice people to come and visit, he built a 2+ acre pond stocking it with hybrid striped bass, Georgia giants (hybrid blue-gill), large-mouth bass, and catfish. There were many large family gatherings with fish fries caught from the pond through the years; with the last one occurring on July 29th, 2023 having over 70 people attend. Jim was a stranger to no one. He was at ease talking with anyone, known or unknown, and any age, on any topic but politics.

He was quite the story-teller about some of his experiences. While the listener probably thought he was embellishing quite a bit, with Jim it was probably all true. His wife, Laura, often referred to him as her "one percent guy". While you are all familiar with the saying "a cat has nine lives", well Jim was generally representative of 1% of the population when it came to the types of illnesses, medication side effects, or incidents that he encountered yet survived. Just a couple of events he experienced was getting carbon monoxide poisoning at work and the doctor stating "he was lucky to have survived based upon his saturation levels" or when he lost most of his eyesight due to a medication at the age of 65.

Jim had a variety of jobs throughout his life. He worked in factories, landscaping businesses, green houses, Security Guard, Sporting Goods Associate, and Teacher's Aide. He really liked being a Sporting Goods Associate since he was very knowledgeable about guns, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoyed most of his time interacting with the school children while he was a Teacher's Aide. He was an avid TV watcher enjoying programs such as westerns, sci-fi, documentaries, history stations, animal shows, a variety of tv series, and movies.

Including spouses and step-children, Jim had 5 brothers, 8 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, 19 nieces, 17 nephews, 25 grand-nieces, 20 grand-nephews, 20 aunts, 23 uncles, and too many cousins to count! This is what we mean by large family gatherings. It wasn't uncommon to have both his side of the family and his wife's side of the family attending the same gathering. He was very blessed to have such loving relatives that enjoyed being together as though they were all a single-family unit thus making wonderful memories together. He especially enjoyed speaking with his 98 year-old Aunt Ruth Webber from Arkansas, and his brother Fred Webber and sister-in-law Soo in Texas on a regular basis. Jim liked giving really big, warm hugs to anyone willing, especially his Aunt Brenda Campo, who could never get enough, and spending fishing time with his niece Heidi Webber who really likes catching catfish!

Words of appreciation cannot be adequately expressed for the past several years of help given by family members. Jeremiah & Huynh Webber and their children, Sam & Megan Maddox, and Guy & Lee Campo in keeping up the yard work during this long journey. A special thank you to Cheryl Mason, Bryan Rinehart, Fred Rinehart, Jerry Webber, and Leo Webber for providing additional help with Jim's healthcare. During Jim's final hours, Soo Webber had a special call with him encouraging him not to be afraid to open the door to meet our Lord Savior Jesus as there were many family and friends waiting to meet and greet him. I believe he began his journey to his Heavenly home following her heart sent loving guidance. Much appreciation is also extended to the Ohio Hospice nurses and aides providing such gentle and compassionate care since the end of September 2023. They truly treat you as one of their family!

Below is a Latin phrase and a Finnish concept that our family feels captures Jim’s fortitude with all of the health-related issues he has strived to overcome with his strong optimistic outlook and attitude!

(1) “Ad Astra Per Aspera” is a Latin phrase meaning

through hardships to the stars.

(2) “Sisu” is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, resilience, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. It is a word that cannot be fully translated.

Just a closing prayer fitting for Jim we wished to share . . .

MY LAST CAST

I pray that I may live to fish

Until my dying day.

And when it comes to my last cast,

I then most humbly pray.

When in the Lord's great landing net,

And peacefully asleep,

That in His mercy I be judged

Big enough to keep.

Author Unknown

In lieu of the traditional funeral service, Jim was cremated and a Celebration of Life is planned to be held at the family home on June 22nd, 2024.