Obituary Of My Brother, James "Jim" Sitterly

It has been a difficult week for me.  Someone told me many years ago and it made so much sense to me, I have never forgot it.  Sharing sadness minimizes it but sharing happiness multiplies it.

Obituary

James "Jim" Sitterly, 71, of Norwalk, Ohio, died on January 25, 2021 at his home with his wife and son by his side. 

Jim filled his life with his two great loves: family and nature. A logger, buyer of standing timber, and landowner, he turned his passion for nature into a profession in which he could spend every day roaming fields and forests. When not in the woods, he could be found with his beloved wife, Joan. Over the recent Christmas holiday, Jim lovingly told the story of first seeing Joan in the cafeteria of St. Paul's Elementary School where she was a new student having moved from the Philippines. He recounted that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and had to meet her. The fateful spotting resulted in a fifty-year loving marriage filled with nightly family dinners, Sunday car rides with their children, long walks in the woods, and annual road trips across America to the West Coast; two versions, either a leisurely journey, visiting national sites along the way or the more exhilarating drive, racing at record speeds to achieve a new personal best, and usually succeeding. 

Jim was born on August 8, 1949 in Norwalk where he was raised with his large, closely-knit Catholic family, attending St. Paul's School where he would later send his three children. He was awarded the Purple Heart and The Bronze Star Medal by the US Army for his exceptional service in the Vietnam War. He and Joan made a home with their three children at the maternal family farm, where his mother had moved as a six-year-old with her parents, and where Jim, as a child, spent much cherished time with his grandparents. Jim was an avid hunter, history enthusiast, and along with Joan, a consummate host, known for their annual Fourth of July picnics never without a spectacular firework display and wildly competitive games refereed by Jim, Halloween hayrides through the family woods to terrify and thrill both children and adults, and in more recent years, hog roasts at their property overlooking Lake Erie. 

He will be remembered, loved and held dearly to the hearts of his wife, Joan Dial Sitterly; children, James Joel Sitterly (Jackie Pagenstecher) of Norwalk, Joyce Sitterly (Arthur de Borman) of London, England, and Jennifer Wilson (Darin Wilson); granddaughter Estella Wilson, of Vancouver, Washington. He will be remembered as both close friend and loving brother by Robert Sitterly, Michael Sitterly (Jill), Dennis Sitterly (Marty), Donald Sitterly (Rebecca), Tom Sitterly (Lou Anne) Eugene Sitterly (Mary), Ruth Fox (Frank Fox), Donna Myers (the late Don Myers), Sharon Russell, Marie “Tina” Chandler (Rodney Chandler), Helen McGuckin (Larry McGuckin); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded to rest by his parents, Bernice and Clarence Sitterly and sisters Frances Osborn and Mary Hinkle.  

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of gifts, donations can be made in his memory to the National Parks, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005 (https://www.nationalparks.org/). Online Condolences may be made by visiting www.WalkerEastmanHeydingerFH.com