James “Jim” Richard Bernthisel Jr, passed away suddenly on April 23rd. He was born February 20, 1945 to James “Dick” and Betty (Browne) Bernthisel in Toledo OH. Jim grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Haskins OH. He loved riding the tractors with his dad and developed a love of the outdoors from an early age. He graduated from Haskins High School in 1963. He owned several businesses throughout his life including Bernthisel Autoworks in Bowling Green and Bernthisel Collision and Self-Storage in Waterville. His love for cars started in high school and was his passion throughout his life. Jim was never one to sit still. He loved doing new things and was always picking up a hobby or tinkering on a project around the house. Jim may have grown-up but he did not grow old. He was a kid at heart and loved helping at his wife’s daycare. He was often there in the morning welcoming the parents and rocking the children in the infant room. Jim’s approach to live was full of love, giving, and enthusiasm for everything that was around him. He was looking forward to retiring this year so he could spend more time with his family and volunteer at the local animal shelter. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Ryan Bernthisel. He is survived by his wife, Jill (Yawberg) and brothers, Charles (Colette) Bernthisel of Sarasota FL and Robert (Kay) Bernthisel of Perrysburg OH. Seven children; Jamee Bernthsiel of Haskins, Christy (Darren) Low of Bowling Green, Jennifer (Jim) McVeigh of Haskins, Chad (Erin) Bernthisel of Perrysburg, Eric Fritz of Winston-Salem, NC, Jennifer (Richard) Hunter of Akron OH, and Michael (Laura) Fritz of Grand Rapids. Jim adored his 14 grandchildren and they will miss their “Poppy.” Visitation will be held at Peinert-Dunn Funeral Home, 7220 Dutch Rd., Waterville on Tuesday April 26, 2016 from 3-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Haskins Community Church on Wednesday at 10 am. Internment to follow at Union Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wood County Animal Shelter. To leave an online memory please visit dunnfuneralhome.com.
