James Klickman

James Klickman, 76, of Elmore, OH, passed away Friday, July 1, 2016 at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, OH, surrounded by his family. He had been battling a lengthy illness for the last several years. He was born in Elmore, OH on May 3, 1940 to the late Edward & Leah (Myerholtz) Klickman. He married the former Marilyn Nissen on July 29, 1961. Except for 8 years of his life, he lived in the home where he was born. A graduate of the former Harris-Elmore High School, Jim was a full time farmer until 2 years ago. He loved farming and started out as a dairy and grain farmer with his father. He then sold the dairy and started growing vegetable crops. Many years were spent growing sugar beets, tomatoes, pickles, and acres of pumpkins. There was a packing shed where pumpkins were cleaned, waxed and then shipped all over the country. Klickman's had a Pumpkin Festival on their farm for many years which many people attended. They are still known as "The Pumpkin People" whenever people hear the last name Klickman. Many acres of hay were baled and the Klickman's also operated a trucking business. After retirement, Jim still watched the weather and grain reports, and would enjoy talking to other farmers about how things were going and offering advice when asked. Jim was a former 4-H advisor for the Ottawa County Steer Club, and was a member of the Sugar Beet Grower's Association, and the Fremont Pickle & Tomato Grower's Association. In high school, he received the State Farmer Degree and was thrilled to later see his son John receive the National Outstanding Fruit & Vegetable Award in high school. In 1975, he received the Outstanding Jaycees Young Farmers Award for the State of Ohio. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Fremont, and was a member of the Elmore Lions Club for over 20 years, where he was the charter president. He proudly received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor given to a Lions member. Jim enjoyed going away to a warmer climate in the winter with his wife Marilyn. Their trips included visits to the Caribbean, a cruise, or traveling out west to National Parks. Jim & Marilyn spent a week with his brother-in-law, Earl Nissen, and his wife Connie from New Mexico for many years and visited different areas of the great USA together, especially the beautiful western states which included the Grand Canyon and Sedona. He was known as Papa to his three grandchildren, Tori, Hunter, and Kami, and shared many exciting times with them by attending their sports events and having them and their friends spend the night. Many interesting conversations were held around the kitchen table and they enjoyed their favorite foods at the farm house. Good times were also shared on trips to Cedar Point, the Toledo Zoo, and their favorite restaurants. James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn (Nissen) Klickman; children, Debbie (Mark) Wilburn, Oak Harbor, OH, and John (Dawn) Klickman, Millbury, OH; sisters, Norma (Melvin) Reif, Graytown, OH, Betty (Richard) Lewandowski, Dayton, OH, and grandchildren, Victoria, Kamarinn, and Hunter Klickman; 2 step children, and 4 step grandchildren, and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Flora Baum. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1187 C.R. 128, Fremont, with Rev. Robert L. Young officiating. Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be shared at www.crosserfuneralhome.com. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Elmore Lions Club, Faith Lutheran Church, or a charity of the donor's choice. Jim's family would like to extend their thanks to all the "Angels" at Genoa Care Center and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Also, many thanks to all the farmers who stopped in to chat with Jim on the patio of his home, as he loved to talk farming. He knew who was driving every tractor that went by! Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Elmore-Genoa Chapel 19550 West State Route 51 Elmore, OH US 43416