James William Klender, Sr.

James W. Klender, Sr., 91, passed away early Sunday morning at Fountain Park Villas in Bryan.  He was born on August 29, 1927 in Bryan to Harry and Pearl (Cunningham) Klender, Sr.  James graduated from Bryan High School.  He married E. Grace Koch, and she preceded him in death in January of 2006.

James and his wife Grace were the owner / operators of Pioneer Oil Company in Pioneer for approximately 20 years, until his retirement in 1993.  Prior to that he worked at Arco, which was the former Sinclair Oil in Bryan.  James was a clock enthusiast and enjoyed collecting and repairing clocks.  He and Grace also owned and operated Town & Country Antiques in Pioneer. 

He is survived by four children; James (Paula) Klender, Jr. of Montpelier, Barbara Baker of Bloomfield, Indiana, Dave (Margaret) Klender of Ashtabula, Ohio, and Stephen (Joanne) Klender of Montpelier; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.    

James was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters Margaret Osborn and Mary Barrick, and one brother Harry Klender, Jr.

Visitation for James will be on Wednesday, February 27th from 4-8 pm at the Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier.  Services will be on Thursday at 11am at the funeral home with Dr. Dan VanArsdalen to officiate.  Interment will follow at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.  Memorial contributions may be given to Williams County Humane Society or CHP Hospice.   

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