James Franklin Shoults

James Franklin (“Jim”) Shoults, of Mt. Gilead and formerly of Cardington, passed away in the morning hours Sunday, August 19, 2018. He was 91 years old.

Jim was born on March 28, 1927 in Streator, Illinois to Frank and Regina Shoults. His family moved to Cardington in the 1930’s, and he has been a resident of Morrow County ever since. Jim graduated from Cardington High School in 1945. During his senior year of high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Alcor until his discharge in 1946. Jim worked at the Marion Power Shovel and then North Electric in Galion for 20 some years.

Jim married the former Evelyn Davis on April 8, 1951 and she survives.

Jim was a farmer for the majority of his life and after retiring from farming, he loved to plant and take care of his garden. He enjoyed participating in Navy reunion trips, parades, and honoring our service men and women. He was privileged to go on an Honor Flight in May 2009. Jim loved spending time with the grandkids, going to their sporting events, and watching westerns with the boys. He also enjoyed traveling, camping with family and friends, word search books, and riding around on his little John Deere gator. The great-grandkids always wanted to go for a ride on “Grampy’s toy”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, Robert and Richard, son-in-law Robert Riggleman, grandchildren Chad Shoults, Laura (Matt Fiant), Frank Shoults, Kadie-Marie (Shoults) Burks, and Molly McCracken (Michael Cowles), great-grandchildren, Kasey & James Fiant, Hayleigh Brown, Allyssa Pierce, sister and brother-in-law Harriet and Howard Gompf, sister-in-law Elizabeth Davis, and 3 nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edgar, and daughter Marcia (McCracken) Riggleman.

Friends may call on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Gompf Funeral Home, 440 Center Street in Cardington.  The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the funeral home at 10:30 am with Pastor Pam Lamb-Hart officiating.

The burial will follow in Westfield Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you make donations to the family, in care of Gompf Funeral Home, for a monument for Jim

Those wishing to share a memory of Jim or to express a condolence to the Shoults family may do so by visiting www.gompffh.com.