The Rev. James O. Byrne,  99, died 9:45 a.m. Wednesday July 6, 2011 at St. Charles Center infirmary, in Carthagena, OH.

He was born August 28, 1928 in Glynnwood, OH to Thomas P. and Anna (Cogan) Byrne.

Survivors include nieces and nephews:

Kathleen (Paul) Wehrle  of Sidney, OH

Mary Agnes (Robert) Cogan  of Berea, OH

Tom ((Kathy) Byrne  of Lima, OH

Margie (Gene) Horman  of Wapakoneta, OH

Janet (Mike) Ott  of Glynnwood, OH

Patty (Paul) Korte  of Grand Rapids, MI

Mary Ann Will  of Minster, OH

Dr. Ted (Mary Margaret) Will  of Bemidji, MN

Tom (Sandy) Will  of Fon du Lac, WI

numerous great-nieces and great-nephews

He was preceded in death by his  parents; brother,  Brother Thomas Byrne; brother, The Rev. John P. Byrne, CPPS; sister, Sr. Mary Alice Byrne, RSM; sister, Margaret Will.

He was a 1929 graduate of St. Joseph High school in Wapakoneta, OH. He also graduated from St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, OH and Mount St. Mary Seminary in Norwood, OH. He was ordained into the Roman Catholic priesthood at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati May 22, 1937.

He was the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. During his tenure, he served numerous parishes: St. Patrick’s (northside) in Cincinnati, Nativity in Pleasant Ridge, St. Paul’s in Yellow Springs, St. Paul’s in Cincinnati, St. Anthony’s in Madisonville, and St. Mary’s in Urbana. He retired from administration after serving as pastor of St. Albert the Great in Kettering. In retirement, he served as pastor emeritus for Holy Rosary in St. Marys.  He also served 12 years as business manager of Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council # 1592 in St. Marys, the Legion of Mary at Holy Rosary Parish, a 4^th degree member of St. Gaspar del Bufalo Assembly # 825 in Minster, OH. He served on the College of Consultors for the archdiocese and in 1954, selected the location for the establishment of Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney, OH.

He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed Cincinnati Reds baseball games. His favorite pastime was fishing. Father Jim was especially proud of his Irish heritage.

A Requiem Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Monday July 11, 2011 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church 511 E. Spring Street in St. Marys, with The Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr and Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk, con-celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery, in Glynnwood, OH. Visitation 2 – 8 p.m. Sunday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: Rev. James O. Byrne Fund for Seminarians, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, or St. Charles Center.

Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road in St. Marys. (Phone # (419) 394-4632.