JAMES C. “ELMO” McNEAR, 88

EAST LIVERPOOL – James C. “Jim” McNear, 88, passed away Monday, May 11, 2015 at his home on Montana Avenue in East Liverpool. He now joins his beloved wife, Sharon, who passed away August 12, 2014.

He was born on February 3, 1927 in East Liverpool, a son of the late James Clinton and Ellen Steenson McNear. A 1944 graduate of East Liverpool High School, he was a World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Navy in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“Elmo”, as he was often called by his closest friends, was a lifetime area resident and had been a meter reader for Ohio Power Company, which later became AEP. He was a member of Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius Church, where he was a well-known usher and a greeter.

One of his favorite pastimes was fishing – especially when he had his wife by his side. He also enjoyed going hunting. Jim was a longtime East Liverpool YMCA member and was a pioneer in weight-lifting and physical fitness.

Survivors include his three daughters: Sandy Bissell, and her husband Dennis, of Tallmadge; Nancy Williams, and her husband David, of Newell; and Jacqueline Barrett, and her husband Scott, of East Liverpool. There are five granddaughters: Brandy Fortman, and her husband Michael; Heidi Maltempi, and her husband Frank; Courtney Czarnecki, and her husband Jared; Calley Williams, and fiancé Aaron Skiles; and Kadie Van Fosson, and her husband Kyle. There is one step-grandson, Skyler Barrett, as well as eight great-grandchildren, and a sister, Eileen Tice, of Calcutta.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Wednesday, where the family will be present from 4 to 8 p.m.

Services will take place at the funeral home at noon on Thursday. Jim will be then laid to rest at Shadow Lawn Memory Gardens, where the Tri-State Veterans Burial Group will provide full military honors.

Following the burial, the family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for a continued time of fellowship.