James A. Krempel

James “Jim” Krempel, 88, of Wooster passed into eternal life in the arms of the Lord on January 20, 2022 while in Hospice LifeCare.

Jim was born on February 4, 1933 in Mount Vernon. The son of John and Helena Berg Krempel, Jim was one of ten children. On February 4, 1956, he married Roberta Lybarger and they celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage before his passing.

During his long and storied life, Jim served in the U.S. Army as part of the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg and was a veteran of the Korean War. After his military service, he was a dedicated employee of the East Ohio Gas Company for 30 years. A craftsman and woodworker at heart, he prided himself in building multiple homes and original pieces of furniture with his own hands for his family. As a devout Catholic, he never missed a Sunday mass until his health left him unable to travel.

Surviving him are his wife, Roberta Krempel of Wooster, his two sons Chris (Christine) Krempel and Rob (Hazel) Krempel, his three grandchildren Monica Zirkle, Brandon Smith and Kailey Krempel, and his three great grandchildren Jaden Yurick, Gunner DeJlius, and Emory Sherrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his nine siblings.

His Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 25th at St. Stephen Catholic Church in West Salem, Ohio. Visitation for friends and family will be between 1pm-2pm  in the gathering room at the church and the Funeral Mass will begin at 2pm. Jim will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Ohio to be reunited with his parents and siblings.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Hospice LifeCare of Wooster, 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster, OH 44691. Matteson Funeral Home is assisting the family. The family would find great comfort if you shared a memory of Jim on the funeral home website at mattesonfh.com