James Lawrence Daley

Lima

James Lawrence Daley, 91, of Marysville, formerly of Lima, died Nov. 7, 2009, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 9, 1918, in Lima to James Herbert and Mary Irene Cox Daley, who preceded him in death. On June 23, 1941, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Marysville, he married Catherine Rohr, who died in 1998.

Mr. Daley was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who was known for his generosity and sharing his home with extended family. He retired in 1983 as co-owner of Rohr Furniture Stores in Marysville and Delaware, Ohio, after 40 years. His business partners were Russell Rohr, Glenn Grigsby and Jerome Rohr. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Marysville, where he was a lector, lay distributor, served on the church council, volunteered for bingo and dedicated himself to several other church activities. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 5534, Marysville, and Archbishop Fulton Sheen Assembly 3157.

He was a 1936 graduate of St. Rose Catholic High School, Lima. Following high school, he worked at St. Rita’s Hospital and later worked as a machinist for six years at Nickel Plate Road, Lima. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving from May 1944 to December 1945. He served with the 765th Railway Shop Battalion, Company A, and was stationed in France, where he kept the railroad equipment in operation during the Rhineland Campaign. When he returned stateside, he served with the military police at Fort Chaffee, Ark., until his discharge. He was a member of American Legion Post 79, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3320 and Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1130. He was a 20-year volunteer at Memorial Hospital, Union County, with more than 3,200 hours, where delivered mobile and community meals and served on the Memorial Meals board. He enjoyed reading and was especially knowledgeable of Irish and Russian history. He loved growing and tending his own rose garden.

Survivors include six children, James H. (Anne) Daley, of Lakeview, Margaret “Peggy” (Dick Fitzgerald) Daley, of Falls Church, Va., Mary Ellen (Norbert) Miscovich and Jeanne (Steven) Lowe, both of Marysville, Stephen (Wilma) Daley, of Lakeview, and Rita (Mark) Hayes, of Marysville; 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth Daley, Sean (Vanessa) Daley, Katie Daley, Rick (Michele) Fitzgerald, Tara (Rob) Nieves, Mark (Daniela) Miscovich, James “Jimmy” Miscovich, Aaron (Jessica) Lowe, Michael Daley, Matthew (Jennifer) Daley, Alex Hayes and Leah Hayes; five great-grandchildren, Brady Daley, Hannah, Isabel and Joey Nieves, and Allie Fitzgerald; a sister, Mary Helen Yost, of Birmingham, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Rita Daley, of Lima, and Frances Rohr, of Indian Lake; two brothers-in-law, Tom Knepshield, of Wisconsin, and Jerry Ford, of Columbus; a cousin, Jim (Betty) Britt; and several nieces, nephews and loving friends, to include the Grigsby family.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Daley; and three sisters, Irene Moyers, Jeanette Ford and Dorothy Knepshield.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Marysville. The Rev. David A. Poliafico will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery, next to his wife, with military rites by the Union County Military Funeral Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Underwood Funeral Home, Marysville, where a rosary service will be held at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545; Union County Loving Care Hospice, 77 London Ave., Marysville, OH 43040; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1033 W. Fifth St., Marysville, OH 43040; or Mobile Meals, 500 London Ave., Marysville, OH 43040.

Condolences may be expressed at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.