James ‘Jim’ Anthony Fitzgerald

James “Jim” Anthony Fitzgerald formerly of Sidney, Ohio, passed away at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 at Mason Health Care Facility in Warsaw, at the age of 79.

Jim was born on June 1, 1943 in Mentone, to Iris Charlotte (Luckenbill) Fitzgerald and Thomas Francis Fitzgerald. He attended Mentone High School and in 1962 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1963. Jim was a hard working man his entire life and enjoyed seeing the world through the windows as he drove working as a truck driver.

In 1963, Jim married Shirley Zehner in Plymouth. Though they divorced they still shared the love for their three children they were blessed with. Residing in Warsaw, Jim later married Sharon Metz on March 17, 2008. They lived in Sidney, Ohio, until he moved back to Warsaw, in 2022. Sharon passed away in 2012.

Jim enjoyed reading, especially history, and traveling cross country. Most of all he loved being with his family sharing time with his loved ones at reunions and holidays. Jim will forever be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother and friend to many who will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind his son, Anthony “A.J.” (Johnna Rainwater) Fitzgerald, Warsaw; three daughters, Brenda Hale, Warsaw; Teresa (Brad) Kissinger, Kimmell, and Mindy (Rodney) Polor, Washington Square, Ohio. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Tom Fitzgerald, Grand Rapids, Mich., Gerald (Jeanette) Fitzgerald, McDonough, Ga., Bernard Fitzgerald, Sumpter, S.C.; and his sister, Sheila Laing, Logansport. He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, two brothers, John and George Fitzgerald, two sisters, Martha Gorham and Joanne Lutes, also a son-in-law Paul Hale.

Jim’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. A graveside service will follow at Mentone Cemetery in Mentone, with military rites conducted by members of the American Legion Post #49, V.F.W. #1126 and active-duty members of the Army Honor Guard.

Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be directed to the American Heart Association, 6500 Technology Center Drive, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.