James Kenneth Rethman,

Age 83, of Monterey Drive, Fort Loramie, passed away peacefully of natural causes Friday morning, November 15, 2024, at the Heritage Manor Nursing Center in Minster, Ohio.  He was born October 16, 1941, in Piqua, Ohio, to the late Karl & Frances (Boerger) Rethman.  On November 27, 1963, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McCartyville, Jim married Rebecca “Beck” (Muhlenkamp) Rethman who preceded him in death on November 8, 2018.  Surviving are two sons, Don & Shari Rethman of Kettering and Jeff Rethman & Pam Ordean of Fort Loramie; four grandchildren: Chloe Rethman & fiancé Jared Wagner, Garrett & Ashlynn Rethman, Ashley & Clayton Ward and Paige & Matt Elliott along with three great-grandchildren, Aniyah and Callan Humes and Nolan Elliott; two brothers, John & Betty Rethman of Fort Loramie and Bill & Jan Rethman of Fort Loramie; several sisters and brothers-in-law: Ramona Rose of Fort Loramie, Norma Siegel of Fort Loramie, Rose Muhlenkamp of Tipp City, Jim & Lea Muhlenkamp of Sidney, Jim Osborn of Columbus, Jerry & Mary Muhlenkamp of Minster and Lucy & Mark Skinner of Waldorf, MD, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father & mother-in-law, Leon & Clotilda (Goecke) Muhlenkamp; three brothers-in-law: Ken Rose, Tom Siegel, Bill Muhlenkamp and two sisters-in-law, Janet Muhlenkamp and Jane Osborn.

Mr. Rethman was a 1959 graduate of Fort Loramie High School.  In 1996, he retired from Alcoa Building Products (Stolle Corp.) of Sidney where he had been a production manager.  He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles and Walkup Country Club where he had been a past officer.  Jim was dedicated to his family and especially, his late wife Beck.  Whenever he could, he enjoyed farming at the Rethman homeplace and visiting with his neighborhood friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. John W. Tonkin presiding.  Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.  Family and friends may call Tuesday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Wednesday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.  Memorials may be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad or charities of choice.  Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.