James Kollister

James Kollister, 84, passed away Saturday Jan, 4, 2014 at his residence in Painesville Township, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 20, 1929 in Athens, Jim was a longtime Lake County resident living in Mentor for 40 years before moving to Painesville Township. Mr. Kollister was a self-employed home builder for most of his career. He built many homes in the Lake County area as well as in Pinellas County Florida, where the Kollisters spent their winters for 35 years. Jim was also an accomplished athlete. He excelled at football, basketball and baseball at Chauncey-Dover High School in Athens County, Ohio and is in the Athens High School "Athletes Hall of Fame". He also played sports for his army base while serving his country and then Class A baseball in the Cuyahoga County leagues. Later, he played 36 years of competitive softball in Lake County. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie (Johnson) Kollister; children, Bruce Kollister of Butler, Pa. and Ken Kollister of Sugar Land, Texas; grandchildren, Cory (Jennifer), Clint, Brian (Maria) and Stephanie Kollister; and his great-grand children, Triston, Ashlyn, Caden, Kamryn, and Bristol, whose arrival is anticipated in March. He is also survived by his sisters, Jean (Hodge) Seiber and Kay Anderson; and many nieces, nephews and other family members. He is preceded in death by his son, James "Jay" Kollister; his parents, Michael and Nellie Kollister; and brothers, Bill, Buzz and Jiggs Kollister. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday January 9, 2013 in the chapel at Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Ave., Mentor. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, and again on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the Adams Parlor at the church. Contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Kollister to Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Online obituary at www.brunners.com

James Kollister

July 20, 1929 - January 4, 2014