James Junge

James Junge age 63, of Holgate died in Holgate on Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

His Legacy… He was born November 3, 1951 to Melvin W. and Miriam D. (Lazenby) Junge in Napoleon.  Jim graduated from Holgate High School in 1970.  He was a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. On March 9, 1973, he married Beverly Baker at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, in rural Defiance.  Jim was a car salesman in the Napoleon area and a manager at SEARS  Automotive.  He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holgate.  Jim was a member of the William F. Helmke American Legion Post 340, member of VFW Post 8218, member of the Freedom Township Men’s Club, member of the Henry County Republican Party, Central Committeeman, former Holgate Councilman, former Henry County Commissioner, and former Mayor of Holgate.  He enjoyed camping with his family, singing, cycling, and dancing.

His Family… Jim is survived by his loving family: wife, Bev; mother, Miriam; children, Gwendolyn Junge (Sean Hanley), Versailles, KY,  Kenneth (Jacqueline) Junge, Leesburg, VA, Dr. Karen (John) Naymik, Columbus,  and Jessica (Joshua) Barry, Columbus; GRANDCHILDREN , Kyla, Nora, Avery, Audrey, Carter, Reese, and Conlin;  siblings, Roger (Sue) Junge, New Bavaria, Mary Ann (Douglas) Kruse, Indianapolis, IN and Thomas (Tami) Junge, Spring Lake, MI.  He was preceded in death by his father Melvin.

His Farewell Services… Friends will be received in the Zachrich Funeral Home, 114 William Street, Holgate on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm and 1 hour before the church service.  The celebration of Jim’s life will be on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 10:30am in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holgate with Pastor Greg Olsen officiating.  Military honors will be accorded by the joint veteran’s posts, Holgate American Legion, New Bavaria VFW and AMVETS.  Contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or William F. Helmke American Legion Post 340.