James A. Lehnert

A funeral service celebrating the life of James A. Lehnert, 72, of Alexandria will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Alexandria United Methodist Church, 72 Church St., Alexandria with Pastor Megan R. Croy officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. Following the graveside service, a wake luncheon will be held at the church beginning at 1:00 P.M.

Additionally, Jim’s family will receive friends from 2-4 and 5-7 P.M. on Friday, April 4, 2014 at the McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St., Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

Jim, a retired mechanic from the Timken Company in Columbus, OH, passed away late Friday night, March 28, 2014 at his home surrounded by family. A resident of Alexandria for the past 35 years, Jim was born April 1, 1941 in Columbus. In addition to Timken, Jim was also self-employed for Consolidated International and a diversified self-made business man. A hard-working individual all his life, Jim worked with his hands as a mechanic, and while repairing cars and remodeling homes, you could see his intellectual thought and insightfulness as he engineered almost everything he touched. Successful in love and in life!

Jim was a Christian man and very active in his church. His care and thrill in working with children in the Cooking for Christ program and background support of the Alex UMC Bible School was admired by all within the Church. He was also a bus driver for Westerville City Schools for over 7 years and remembered fondly by all his passengers. Over the years, he has been referred by many as “Grandpa of Alexandria”. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Preceded in death by father Paul and mothers Stella (Matthew) Lehnert and Edith (Matthew) Lehnert, brother William Burgoon, and beloved sister Phyllis (Kincaid) Robison. Survived by the love of his life and wife of 54 years, Betty A. (Salyer) Lehnert of Alexandria; daughters, Martina (Greg) Kuttler of Georgetown, and Jamie (Dan) Myers of Castle Pines, CO; son Tim (Rebecca) Lehnert of Westerville; Brother, Edward (Jane) Lehnert of Westerville; sister, Frances (Dale) Pittman of Livingston, TX; grandchildren, Brandi, Daniel, Audrey, Grace, Chelsea, Jake, Tori, Mackenzie, James, and Levi; great-grandchild, Riley; and countless self-proclaimed grandchildren whoever needed him!

A sentiment Jim has asked to be passed along: “To ALL the people I loved (you know who you are), and ALL the People who loved me, Thank you and God Bless!” Flowers were Jim’s gift of choice without the need for a special occasion and the returned expressions will be welcomed at the Funeral Home or contributions in his memory may be made to the Alexandria United Methodist Church, 72 Church St., Alexandria, OH 43001.