James Frank Kaelin, 81, of DeGraff, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at this residence.
He was born in Bellevue, PA on March 29, 1942, the son of the late Elmer Xavier and Helen Marie (Beltz) Kaelin. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Joan Confer.
On August 21, 1965, he married the former Connie Jean Kensler in Liberty, Indiana and she survives.
He is also survived by three children: James Kaelin, Jr., Ted Kaelin, and Rhonda (Chad) Mullins, three grandchildren; Heather Kaelin, Matthew Roderick, and Lucas Roderick, one great grandson, Braxton Dunn, two sisters, Carol Wilson and Shirley (Steve) Adamission, a brother, David Kaelin, two brothers-in-law; Ted Kensler and Ronnie (Pauline) Kensler, two sisters-in-law, Sheryl Zirkle and Karen Preston, and many nieces and nephews.
James was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and worked 31 years at Navistar in Springfield before retiring. He bowled for many years and enjoyed reading and word-find puzzles. He was always very meticulous about his yard and landscaping, was an avid coin collector and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Bart Zirkle, his nephew, will officiate a funeral service on Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m. in Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311. Friends may call two hours prior to the service on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the funeral home. Burial will be in East Liberty Cemetery with military honors provided by the Logan County Veteran Honor Guard.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Kaelin family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.