James H. Fair

James H. “Jim” Fair, 92, of Chicora, formerly of Hornertown, passed away peacefully late Saturday morning, August 6, 2022 at the Chicora Medical Center in the company of his loving family.

Jim was born in Bruin on February 17, 1930. He was the son of the late Floyd and Mary Heilman Fair.

Jim was a US Army Veteran, serving from 1947 – 1951, and was a longtime member of the American Legion Post in Chicora. He was also a member of Harvest Community Church in Fairview. James retired from the barrel house at WITCO in Petrolia in 1992. He enjoyed listening to country and gospel CDs, and good conversation on the porch with family and friends, but most especially the company of his “grandkids”.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Betty A. Merchant Fair, on September 16, 2018. The couple was married on June 20, 1952.  

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Joseph Bly, of Chicora; four grandkids, Joseph Bly Jr. and his wife Angela of White Oak, TX, Julie Marshall (Mike Sigworth), of Parker, Shaun Sabich and his wife Melissa, of Marine City, MI, and Shannon Dargaj and her husband, Chris, of Marine City, MI; 12 great-grandkids, Joseph Marshall (Taylor Rossi), of Parker, Luna Marshall of Chicora, Cody Bly and his wife, Abby, of Longview, TX, Tyler Bly and his wife, Meagan, of Liberty City, TX, Jacob Bly and his wife, London, Breanna Bly, and Stephanie Bly, all of White Oak, TX, Makayla Howard, Savanna Sabich, Logan Sabich, Madalyn Dargaj, and Wyatt Dargaj, all of Marine City, MI; four great-great grandkids, Brinlee, Bryson, and Brody Bly, all of Liberty City, TX, and Adalynn Bly, of White Oak, TX, and Jim was looking forward to the birth of his fifth great-great-grandchild in November; a sister-in-law, Sandra Merchant, of Butler, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jim is preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Dennis Sabich, a granddaughter, Jennifer Bly, his siblings, Thomas Fair, Margaret Piper, Jane Erdos, Beatrice Flasco, and Madelyn Wade.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Friday in Bearcreek Cemetery, Petrolia with the Rev. Michael Harvey, pastor of the Harvest Community Church in Fairview, officiating. Military honors will be accorded the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion posts. Memorial contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Karns City Regional Ambulance Service, PO Box 21, Petrolia, PA 16050, or to the Chicora Fire Department, PO Box F, Chicora, PA 16025. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

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