James Mark Oechsle, age 64, passed away on November 15, 2023, at Lutheran Memorial Medical ICU as a result of an accident sustained at work. He was born in Midland, Michigan, to the late Marlin Oechsle and Vivian (Showalter) Oechsle February 5, 1959. He married Cheryl J. Schroer on November 17, 1990.

Jim spent his early years in Midland, Michigan, developing his life-long love for the Michigan Wolverines. He moved with his family to Van Wert, Ohio, during junior high school and graduated from Crestview High School in 1977. He spent almost 20 years working with his uncle on the Da-Bren dairy farm and developed his own herd of quality registered Guernseys under the Jamaro prefix. After his uncle’s herd was sold, he served as a herdsman for several different herds in Michigan and Ohio until 2000 when he became a full-time truck driver. He and Cheri established the JaCher prefix and began building their own herd of registered dairy cattle with their sons. Jim was a hard worker and loved to share his knowledge with young people. He volunteered as a 4-H advisor and a FFA dairy judging coach. He mentored several youth showing and fitting cattle. He was a member of the Shane’s Lodge #377 F.& A.M., a member of the First United Methodist Church and several state and national dairy organizations. His sons and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved to make a good quality field of hay, show cows, and spend time visiting with family.

Surviving along with his wife are his four sons: Stephan (Crystal) of Perrysburg, OH, Harrison of Van Wert, Matthew (MacKenzie) of Convoy, and Korey (Torie) of Delavan, WI; his grandchildren Kensley and Arnold Marlin; sister Peggy (Dan) Skinner, sisters-in-law Cindy Oechsle and Juli (Jeff) Lubelczyk and brother-in-law Scott (Holly) Schroer; father-in-law Kenneth Schroer; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, his brother Jay, his mother-in-law, Barbara Schroer and two nephews, Andrew and Peter Lubelczyk.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2023 at Cowan & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Pastor Christian Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City. Calling hours are 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the funeral home with one hour of calling ahead of services on Monday.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Van Wert Agricultural Society for Dairy Barn Projects in Jim’s memory.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.

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