This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RonColby41 Surnames: Colby, Frary, Sowry Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.colby/1161/mb.ashx Message Board Post: James F. Colby GAGEVILLE - James F. Colby, 76, of Gageville, Ohio, died Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2008, at his home with his family at his side.Born Jan. 14, 1932, in Ashtabula, Ohio, he was the son of Earl L. and Dorothy (Frary) Colby. He was a lifelong area resident and attended Ashtabula High School. A Veteran, he enlisted in the Army in 1956 and was a Private First class upon his honorable discharge in 1958, and remained in the Reserves for many years. During his time in the service, he traveled to Holland and Germany and saw many sights which he shared through his pictures and home movies. He retired from Union Carbide/Elkem Metals in 1981 at which time he became self-employed and began caring for the Gageville Cemetery, a job which he truly loved and kept until this past summer, serving the community for 16 years. A devout Christian, James was a member of the Ashtabula Wesleyan Methodist Church his entire life. He was the church treasurer and also worked at Stoneboro Wesleyan Methodist Church camp every year in the kitchen. James loved to bird watch, walking his dog, spending time with his grandchildren, and loved being a prankster. He was lovingly nicknamed "the agitator". Survivors include his wife, Loretta (Sowry) whom he married Oct. 4, 1958; a son, Timothy (Rose) Colby of Jefferson, Ohio; two daughters, Joanne (Columbus) Farmer of Jefferson, Ohio and Janice (Mark) Luoma of Ashtabula, Ohio; five grandchildren, Bruce Colby, Christina Farmer, Mike Farmer, Mark Farmer, and Daniel Luoma; three sisters, Esther Nelson of Charleston, S.C., Dorothy (Paul) Brink of Salisbury, N.C., and Rebekah (Bill) Untch of Thomasvile, N.C.; sister-in-law, Cheryl Colby of Conneaut, Ohio; two brothers, George (Dee) Colby of Fort Collins, Colo., and Earl (Betty) Colby of Ashtabula, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews, friends, and his church family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John and Rae; two sisters, Sarah Colby and Mary Golden; and a brother-in-law, Bob Golden. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27th, at East Conneaut Wesleyan Methodist Church, 315 East Main Road, Conneaut, Ohio, with the Rev. Marvin Blowers officiating. Burial will be in Gageville Cemetery. Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ashtabula Wesleyan Methodist Church or to Hospice of the Western Reserve. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church. Condolences at www.marcyfuneralservices.com and starbeacon.com. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.