Jim Bilger

James D. Bilger, 62, died late Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Galion Hospital. He was being treated for both cancer and heart issues.

He was born in Galion on March 23, 1964 to the late Raymond and Ruth (Pritchard) Bilger. The family eventually settled in Oceola where Jim and his brothers had a rambunctious and mischievous upbringing in the 1970s, fishing in Brokensword Creek and playing ball in the churchyard. He was in the Wynford Class of 1982 and got his first work with Bloomfield Towing. Jim worked for Baja Marine until its closure and was employed at Penske Logistics in Marion until his health no longer allowed in recent months. Jim was reunited by way of Facebook with former classmate Tammy Clark a couple years ago. They were married October 18, 2025 and shared a brief but beautiful marriage built on faith in Christ.

Jim turned to faith in Christ and was a firm and born-again believer. He was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church in Marion and also attended with Tammy’s congregation at the Bucyrus Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Jim held his family close and was a real tie that binds. He was an avid fisherman and did a lot of hunting in years past. There were also a lot of Harley rides years ago. No one who knew Jim had a bad thing to say about him. He was loving, caring, and compassionate. Even in the midst of his health issues, Jim’s faith was strong and he was comforted leaving things “in God’s hands.”

Jim is survived by his loving bride, Tammy Bilger; brothers, Larry Pritchard, Rick Bilger (Gayle Keen), Roy Bilger, and Jeff (Cindy) Bilger; stepchildren, Jimmy (Amber) Stamper and Annie Stamper (Mike Pearson); grandchildren, Preston Erwin (Sammi Denning), Brooke (Joe) Brewer, and Lily Erwin; and two great grandchildren, Weston Erwin and Emmy Brewer)..

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by stepson, Billy Stamper; brothers, Randy and Bob Bilger; infant sisters, Debra and Nancy; and his sister-in-law, Brenda Bilger.

All services will be held hosted by Jim’s family on Saturday, August 22, 2026. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 pm at Liberty Baptist Church, 232 East Church Street in Marion. He will be inurned in Oceola Cemetery and a meal will be shared in the Fellowship Hall of Bucyrus Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Rather than sending flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Liberty Baptist Church and given at the services or sent to Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St. in Bucyrus.

Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Jim’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.