James Albert Raesler

James Albert Raesler, 78 of Amherst passed away peacefully on January 4, 2022 from complications of  heart failure. 

Jim was born June 15, 1943, in Amherst Ohio. He lived in his childhood home on West Street all but 7 years of his life. He graduated from Marion L. Steele High School in 1961. He was awarded his diploma  in Higher Accounting and Finance from the Oberlin School of Commerce June 1963, and an Associate of  Applied Business June 8, 1967 (two days before his wedding) from Lorain County Community College.  He worked at The Nordson Corporation as a Tool and Die Maker and retired after close to 40 years in  2005. He was an avid Cleveland sports enthusiast, especially basketball. He enjoyed watching the Cavs and listening to the Indians on the radio. He was his children’s and grandchildren’s greatest supporter.  No matter what sport or activity they chose, he always tried not to miss any of their games or  performances. Jim played soccer in the Amherst Adult Soccer League. He was a referee for Lorain  County Soccer Association and the Assistant Coach for his son’s Amherst Youth Soccer team for many  years.  

In his earlier years, he enjoyed boating, fishing, woodworking, and working with stained glass. He was  the “fix it” man for the family. After retirement, he loved spending time with family and friends, new and  old, at the family’s Vermilion lake house. He liked to kayak on the lake, watch his grandchildren enjoy  the beach and watch the sunsets. He was an avid reader and loved listening to music. The one thing that  was most important to him was the time he would spend with his family. Family always came first, no  matter what. He was a lifelong member of St. Peters United Church of Christ. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years Peggy (nee Kirkpatrick); daughter Tracey (Steve)  Evans of Westlake, daughter Becky (Scott) Stewart of Delaware, son Michael (Angela) of Lorain;  grandchildren Alex, Samantha and Lucas Evans, Nathan and Megan Stewart, Jacob and Natalie Raesler and Aaron Boothe (Debbie’s son). 

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Raesler and parents Earl and Frances (nee Sanders)  Raesler 

Due to Covid, a private immediate family burial service will be held graveside at Crown Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held for Jim and his daughter Debbie at a later date. 

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Deborah Raesler Scholarship Fund, 541  West St, Amherst, Ohio 44001 or St. Peters United Church of Christ, 582 Church Street, Amherst, Ohio  44001.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James Albert Raesler, please visit our Tree Store.