James Emerson Ivell

James Emerson Ivell, 83, passed away Thursday at UPMC Northwest after a two-year illness.

He was born May 1, 1935, in Grove City, the son of Robert E. Ivell Sr. and Mary Alphene Hoffman Ivell Rossi.

He attended grade schools at Windy Point and Boyers and graduated from Grove City High School in 1953. He attended Grove City College for two years, after which he joined the U.S. Army on March 11, 1957. He was honorably discharged on March 31, 1963.

For most of his life, he drove a truck for local businesses, hauling coal and later blacktop and limestone, retiring in 2010.

After retirement, he immediately went to work taxiing the Amish for whom he had great respect and love. He especially loved the Amish children and kept candy and lollipops for them in his van.

Jim joined the Harrisville Lions Club in March 1963. He spent many years as their secretary. He also served the District 14-N Lions in many capacities.

His most treasured role was as Leader Dogs for the Blind chairman from 1975 until 2011, for which he received the prestigious Leader Dogs Founder's Tribute. Leader Dogs credited him with obtaining 24 or more dogs for blind individuals.

His survivors include his wife, Betty Lou Francis Ivell, whom he married on July 21, 1961; a daughter, Jeanne and her husband, Richard V. Reib Jr., of Franklin; his sons, James R. and his wife, Amy, of Clintonville, and Jeffrey and his wife, Chastity, of Peninsula, Ohio; his granddaughters, Erica Reib and her husband, Steven Lucia, of Milwaukee, Wis., and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Ivell of Clintonville; and his grandson, James E. Ivell II.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn son, Joseph; his brother, Robert E. Ivell Jr.; and a brother in infancy.

His family would like to express their thanks for the loving care he received at the Caring Place in Franklin.

IVELL — Viewing for James Emerson Ivell, who died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, will be at 10 a.m. with the funeral service immediately following at noon Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1151 Buffalo St., Franklin, with the Right Rev. Dr. Sean W. Rowe and the Rev. Elizabeth Yale officiating.Burial will be private.A celebration of life will be held later.Funeral arrangements are with Jamison-McKinley Funeral Home, Harrisville.Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307-3115.Please visit www.jamisonfuneralhome.com.