Troy Daily News    

May 1, 2009 

ROBERTS, JAMES E. - Salamonia, Ind. - James E. Roberts, Jr., age 57, a resident of Salamonia, Ind., passed away on Thursday morning, April 30, 1009, at his home following an illness of several months.  James was born on Dec. 27, 1951, in Covington, Ky., the son of James E. Roberts, Sr. and Betty (Brown) Roberts.  James married Sherry Manor on Dec. 4, 1976.  Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Sherry Roberts of Salamonia, Ind.; parents, James E. Roberts, Sr. and Betty Roberts of Fort Recovery; two sons, James E. Roberts III (Jamie) of Redkey, Ind. and Matthew T. Roberts, Sr. (Lori) of Portland, Ind.; three daughters, Latisa Richard (John) of Piqua, Sarina Wendel (Charles) of Salamonia, Ind. and Miranda Hummer (Richard) of Salamonia, Ind.; brother, Robert Roberts (Lori) of Portland, Ind.; three sisters, Kathleen Wolf (John) of Fort Recovery, Rebecca Wolf (Charles)of Coldwater and Kristina Olsen (Aaron) of Celina; and 12 grandchildren.  James was a former employee of J&M Manufacturing in Fort Recovery working as a welder.  He also was a former employee of the Union City Body Company as a supervisor for several years, Ludwig's Supermarket of Portland and Tyson Mexican Original of Portland.  He graduated from Fort Recovery High School in 1970.  James graduated from Ball State University, receiving his bachelor's degree in Special Education in 2000.  James has been employed through the Jay School Corporation since 1998.  While working for the Jay School Corporation, he worked at General Shanks Elementary, East Jay Middle School, Pennville Elementary, Redkey Elementary and Westlawn Elementary.  Most recently he has taught at Westlawn Elementary for four years teaching Life Skills class.  James initiated the fundraising for the greenhouse at Westlawn Elementary that was recently dedicated in memory of a former student that James taught.  With his work through the greenhouse project, James was awarded the Star of Character Award through the Character Counts Program in the Jay School Corporation.  James was a member of the First Church of Christ in Fort Recovery.  He also was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society, Autism Society of America and the Jay County Teacher's Association.  Funeral services for James Roberts, Jr. will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2009, in the Collett Church of the Nazarene, south of Portland, Ind. with Pastor Mike Hamm and Pastor Billy Stanton officiating.  Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Portland Chapel of the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home, one hour prior to funeral services (1:30-2:30 p.m.) Sunday and from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009.  A prayer service led by Pastor Lowell Kosak will be held at 8 p.m.  Memorials may be directed towards the State of the Heart Hospice, Collett Church of the Nazarene Memorial Fund or the Imagine Project at the Stroh First Church of Christ in Stroh, Ind.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.  Online condolences may be sent to www.williamsonspencer.com.

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