James E. Collum, 82, of Belle Center, Ohio, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty, Ohio. He was born September 21, 1927 in Big Springs, Ohio, to the late Grover and Ella Anna (Weiska) Collum.
On March 5, 1947 he married the former Betty B. Henry in Rushsylvania, Ohio, and she survives along with a son, Richard “Dick” L. (Kim) Collum of Bellefontaine, Ohio; daughters, Nancy Sue (Earl) LeVan of Bellefontaine and Kimberly Kay (Scott Storm) Reames of Zanesfield, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Lance and Brent Collum, Samantha Stephens, Timothy and Jonathan LeVan, Brady Parks, and Brian and Max Reames and twelve great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his brothers, William and Bernard Collum and a sister, Anna Mae Parker.
He worked twenty one years for Equity Dairy as a cheese maker and later retired from Rockwell International, where he worked as a machine operator.
A 1946 graduate of Rushsylvania High School, Jim was a member of the Belle Center United Methodist Church and a member of the Bellefontaine Masonic Lodge Free and Accepted Masons #209. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Pastors Phil Pockras and Casey Storm will conduct a memorial service at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Belle Center, where friends may call from 2 to 4 P.M. A Masonic Service will be held at 3:45 P.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Give Kids the World Village 210 S. Bass Road Kissimmee, FL 34746 or to Make-A-Wish Foundation 2545 Farmers Drive Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43235 in honor of his great granddaughter, Gracie.