James Donald Gebers, 91, of Custar, Ohio, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Wood County Hospital, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio on April 18, 1933 and raised in Napoleon, Ohio, the adopted son of Fred and Esther (Rothman) Gebers. He was a Hamler High School graduate and at the age of 19, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Jim honorably served his country during the Korean War. After his service he returned home to Hamler and worked for a short period of time at the Zellers Corp. in Defiance, Ohio.
On February 5, 1955 he married Mary Ann (Erford) Gebers at St. Paul Catholic Church, Hamler and they have shared over 69 years together.
In 1960, Jim went to work at the former Custar State Bank. He served as the Bank President and CEO for over 41 years, retiring in 2001. During his leadership of the bank it always maintained a 5-Star Rating and was rated as one of the best independent banks in the USA by the Independent Bankers Association. Over the years, he received many accolades for his achievements and the bank’s success.
Jim also formerly served as the Milton Township Clerk for over 30 years. He was a faithful member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Custar and served on the church finance committee, parish council, school board and festival committee.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; two sons, Anthony (Christina) Gebers and Darrell (Pam) Gebers; four grandchildren, Jared (Eve) Gebers, Amanda (Keith) Duquette, Stephanie (Jason) Boston, and Alyssa Gebers; three great grandchildren, Blake Boston; Bianca Boston and Jackson Duquette. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Kathleen Burrill.
A memorial gathering will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28th at St. Louis Catholic Church, Custar with Fr. Francis Mariadas. A fellowship luncheon will immediately follow the mass.
The family suggests memorials to St. Louis Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Messages and memories can be left for the family at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com.
