James Charles Koelsch

James C. Koelsch, age 69, died at his home in Metamora, OH on Sunday, August 16, 2015 with family and friends at his side.

Jim was born February 6, 1946 in Toledo, OH to the late Charles and Lorene Koelsch. He was raised on the family's farm and lived there for the last twenty-five years of his life. He attended St. Mary's Assumption Catholic School where in high school he participated in theater and basketball. He served as an altar boy at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Toledo and obtained his Professional Engineering license in Ohio and Michigan. His professional accomplishments include managing the maintenance painting of the High Level Bridge through the City of Toledo Department of Streets, Harbor and Bridges, overseeing sewers and drainage in Monroe County Michigan as Drainage Engineer, and supervising quality control for Dundee Cement Company, Dundee, MI. His last professional position was at the University of Toledo where he taught a Civil Engineering Senior Design Capstone Course.

In the 1970's the farm boy became an “urban pioneer” in Toledo's Old West End and with his wife Vicki renovated an historic home on Glenwood Avenue. They joined neighbors to preserve the historic homes, to celebrate diversity, and to participate in citizen advocacy.

As a runner Jim noticed symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. He built a house on the family farm that he could productively live in with his scooter, enjoy his siblings and old friends, drive around the countryside in his handicap accessible van, and mow lawn risking life and limb.

Jim will be remembered for his love of life despite his slow, steady physical decline. His greatest joy was his family and friends, especially Wednesday lunch and outings with the Moore Brothers, Sunday Suppers with wife Vicki, sister-in-law Suzi and the Knowles, and the most recent project the Koelsch Farm Homestead!

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Victoria; children, Leslie (Eric) Getzinger of Washington, DC, Emily (Todd) Rebori of Yorktown Heights, NY, and Peter (Ellena) Koelsch of Schwabisch Hall, Germany; grandchildren, Curran and Lucy Getzinger; William and Alexander James Rebori, Pan Schumacher Koelsch. Siblings and spouses, Judith Snyder, Janet Sagert,

David and Trisha Koelsch, Joyce and Tom Eley, Gerard and Joyce Koelsch and Jacqueline and Greg Oehlers.

On Saturday, August 22 family and friends are invited for Visitation at 1:30pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish at US 20 & Rt. 64, Swanton, OH to be followed by the Memorial Mass at 2:30pm. Dinner and fellowship following the Mass at the Holy Trinity Community Center. Internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Vincent De Paul Society at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish or to the Mike Holland Scholarship Fund at Evergreen High School, Metamora, OH.

Residence: Metamora, Ohio

Visitation: Saturday, August 22nd from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption

Mass of Resurrection: Saturday, August 22nd at 2:30 pm in the Church

Interment: Private