James E. Fortner

James E. Fortner, age 80, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 11:40 P.M. on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Bryan Care and Rehab after an extended illness. Mr. Fortner was a founding member of Eastland Baptist Church, where he has served as a deacon and on the building committee and was church financial secretary. He was employed by Hayes Albion for twenty-two years until the plant closed, then worked for Young Spring and Wire in Archbold until that plant closed and then for Trim Trends in Bryan, from where he retired. In retirement he worked for Chief Supermarket in Bryan. James was also a member of the UAW and enjoyed being with his family, cars, country music, and old westerns and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict Era. James E. Fortner was born on October 10, 1931, in Harrogate, Tennessee, the son of Samuel and Maude (Davis) Fortner. He married Lois L. Russell on January 14, 1961, in St. Marys, Ohio, and she survives. Survivors also include one daughter, Teresa (Darrell) Betts, of Toledo, Ohio; two sons, James S. (Malgorzata) Fortner and Tony (Linda) Fortner, both of Bryan; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in the Eastland Baptist Church in Bryan, with Pastor Allen Sanders and Pastor Jeff Sheldon officiating. Visitation will also be held in the church one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in Shiffler Cemetery near Bryan with grave side military rites conducted by Bryan VFW #2489. Memorials are requested to Eastland Baptist Church.