James H. Folk, Sr., 87, of St.Marys, OH died 12:07 p.m. Sunday December 13, 2009 at Otterbein Retirement Community, near Grand Lake St.Marys.

He was born March 3, 1922 in St.Marys, OH to J. Harold and Florence (Buehler) Folk.

On May 10, 1947, he married Mildred Jeanne Carey, who preceded him in death August 2, 1987. On May 25, 1990, he then married his loving soul mate, Marion Dapper Tenyak, who survives in St.Marys.

Their blended family included:

Sandra (William) Hunter of St.Marys, OH

Steve (Pam) Tenyak of St.Marys, OH

Chris (Tom) Stroh of Union City, TN

David (Cheryl) Folk of Marion, OH

Carol (Gregg) O’Connor of Winfield, IL

Michael (Patti) Folk of St.Marys, OH

daughter-in-law Peggy Folk of St.Marys, OH

23 grandchildren 17 great-grandchildren

nieces: Lynne (William) Hurley and Christine (Chris) Fisher, . both of Columbus, OH

He was preceded in death by: his parents, first wife, son James H. Folk, Jr., daughter Suzanne Gaut, son-in-law Richard Gaut, sister Betty (Ray) Work

He was a1940 graduate of memorial High School in St.Marys, OH and 1943 graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served as a pharmacist mate 1^st class from 1943 to 1946 in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres.

Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to St.Marys and joined John Vore to establish the Vore & Folk Funeral Home. In 1970, he merged with C. Richard Long to form the Yoder-Long & Folk Funeral Home in St.Marys, and later, the Heinl-Long & Folk Funeral Home in Wapakoneta. He will be remembered for his dignified and respectful assistance to area families in their time of need.

He was a life-long member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council # 1492, St.Gaspar Del Buffalo 4^th degree Knights, Eagles Lodge Aerie # 767, VFW Post # 9289 and American Legion Post # 323, St.Marys Outing Club (Idlewild) all in St.Marys, and BPOE Lodge # 54 in Lima, OH.

He served many years on the Auglaize Co. Board of Health and the Board of Directors of the Home Banking Co.

Jim cherished his family and friends, and dearly loved hosting large gatherings at the holidays.

He was a loyal fan of the St.Marys Roughriders sports programs, and held a true passion for the Ohio State Buckeyes, having attended countless football games throughout the years.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Saturday December 19, 2009 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church 511 E. Spring Street in St.Marys, with the Rev. Anthony E. Cutcher, celebrant. Burial, with graveside military rites, will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, in St.Marys.

Visitation for family and friends will be held  4 - 8 p.m. Friday at the Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home 314 W. High Street in St.Marys.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Otterbein Hone Benevolent Fund, Auglaize Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.