Obituaries

Merlin James “Jim” Artz passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the age of 88. Born in Perrysburg, Ohio, Jim was the son of Merlin Henry and Mary Etta (nee Cutshall) Artz. He was one of five siblings: Bonnie, Frederick, Mary Lou, and Roger.

A 1955 graduate of Perrysburg High School, Jim worked as a meat cutter during and after his school years. It was a family occupation he truly enjoyed. He married Mary Jane Dagastino in 1958, who sadly passed away in 1961.

Drafted into the US Army in 1959, Jim trained at Fort Knox and Fort Riley. He went on to serve in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1962. Returning home to Perrysburg, he met Antoinette “Toni” Mary Bennett. The two married on November 30, 1963, and shared 58 years together until Toni’s passing in 2022. They raised five children: Brian, Christina, Pamela (Ron) Malzahn, Cary (Rob) Sheppard, and Ginger (Scott) Conaway. Jim’s biggest and most literal hands-on moment as a young father came when he (with Toni’s help) delivered his daughter, Pamela, at home!

In 1963 Jim joined the Perrysburg Fire Department, becoming the first firefighter hired under civil service rules. A year later he was named Assistant Fire Chief, and in 1969 he became Deputy Fire Chief. In 1972 Jim was promoted to Fire Chief, a position he very proudly held for 22 years. During his tenure as Chief, Jim rolled out a fire-prevention program for Perrysburg elementary schools in the form of an art contest, which later expanded in different forms to the middle and high schools. Jim oversaw the addition of EMS/rescue services in 1976, after the city’s private ambulance services pulled out. Under his watch, Perrysburg became the first municipality in Wood County to require smoke detectors in newly constructed homes. Jim would want everyone to be aware (and take advantage) of all the valuable services and programs the Perrysburg Fire Division offers the community today.

During this same time, Jim continued to work as a part-time meat cutter at various locations to better provide for his family. He was also a dedicated member of the Elks, Eagles, and American Legion, memberships he retained through the rest of his life. He spent quite a bit of time at these clubs enjoying the camaraderie they provided, and hoping his numbers would hit during the weekly drawings. His hopes were usually met with limited success.

After retiring from the Fire Department in 1994, Jim became passionate about genealogy, researching his family’s history at the Way Public Library. He was proud of his personal history and his family’s deep roots in Perrysburg dating back to the 1860s. He delighted in sharing memories of his youth during long drives around the area, or as part of the Way Public Library’s Oral History Series.

In 1997, Jim donated a kidney to his most beloved (and let’s face it, favorite) daughter, Christina. Jim would encourage everyone to become an organ donor. Christina returned the favor and had the privilege of being Jim's primary caregiver in his final years. She kept him as entertained and active as possible, while making sure his medical needs were met. She was his fiercest advocate.

Jim had a wicked sense of humor and loved a good joke, the dirtier the better—much to Toni’s dismay and his children’s delight. His eyes would gleam whenever he encountered a new audience for his comedy bits. A lover of grilling, vegetable gardening, and gambling, he relished annual trips to visit family in Las Vegas—tomatoes from his garden in tow. Jim was also a quiet philanthropist, donating regularly to food pantries and local families in need.

Jim is survived by his children; grandchildren Bailey, Bryn, Bennett, Devin, Mac, and Chloe; great-grandchildren Kadyn, and Delaney; brother Roger; many brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many more nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Teresa Scheub, for the kindness, care, and companionship she showed to both Jim and Toni in their final years.

Visitation will take place on Friday, December 20, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Way Public Library Foundation & Friends or the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio.

Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.