James M Hill, 81, of Van wert went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday night, July 7, 2013, at the CHP Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on March 10, 1932 in Rose Hill, Virginia, the son of the late Florine May (Miller) Hill Hudson and Cecil W. Hill. On October 27, 1956, he married the former Ruth Elaine Rice who survives. Other family survivors include two sons, Ed Hill of Van Wert and Craig (Jenny Butler) Hill of Scott Depot, WV; a daughter, Julie Marie (Kevin) Semer of Van Wert; four grandchildren, Eric (Claire) Semer of Bowling Green, OH, Arielle Semer of Van Wert, Alex and Olivia Hill of Scott Depot, WV; two great grandchildren Claudia and Logan Semer; three sisters, Gladys Fauble of Rockford, Jewel (Tex) Hensley of Rose Hill, VA, and Mary Walters of Van Wert; four brothers, Jerry Hill of Schoolcraft, MI, Ken (Barbara) Hill of The Colony, Texas, Harold (Linda) Hill of Rose Hill, VA, and David (Linda) Hill of Van Wert; 36 nieces and nephews; and over 60 great-nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Hill, as well as five brothers and sisters who died in infancy. Jim retired from the Van Wert Times-bulletin after 38 years of service. He was a member of Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, Van Wert. Jim enjoyed remodeling, transforming several damaged or neglected houses into family homes, including his own home of over 40 years. Services will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 11, 2013, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Savage officiating. Calling hours are 2 - 6 p.m., Thursday. Preferred memorials are to the CHP Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert Area Visiting Nurses or Trinity Friends Church.