Father James Holmer

Reverend James Joseph Holmer, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Toledo, died on February 11th, 2022 at Stein Hospice in Sandusky, Ohio. He was 79 years old.  A native of Attica, Ohio, Father Jim was the son of Walter and Rosemary (Schoen) Holmer. He completed his elementary and secondary education in Attica public schools.  He graduated from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, in 1965.  He taught high school government and social studies in Norwalk, Huron and Tiffin Columbian.  After his seven year teaching career, Fr. Jim attended St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana.  In 1976 he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Divinity. He was ordained a priest on June 5th, 1976 at Holy Rosary Cathedral by Bishop John A. Donovan. Fr. Jim served as associate pastor at Christ the King, Toledo, (1976-1979); associate pastor at St. Mary, Sandusky (1979-1981); associate pastor at St. Catherine, Toledo (1981-1984) and St. Thomas Aquinas, Toledo (1984-1987) and an instructor at Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon (1984-1987).  Fr. Jim served as pastor at Our Lady of Mercy, Fayette and Our Lady of Fatima, Lyons (1987-1998); St. Mary, Kirby and St. Peter, Upper Sandusky (1998-2003); his last assignment was St. Mary’s, Vermilion.  In 2010 Fr. Jim had a leave of absence from St. Mary, Vermilion due to health issues.  Fr. Jim resided at Kingston of Vermilion since 2010. Special thanks to the staff and residents of Kingston of Vermilion for the care they provided. He is survived by a brother, Norman (Sandy) of Attica and sister, Jane Ann Miller of Attica.  Fr. Jim is survived by four nieces, Melissa (Tom) Kneisley, Heidi (David) Carr, Cassandra (Travis) Garrabrant and Kimberley Ferguson and 4 great-nephews, Wyatt & Garrett Garrabrant, Max Ferguson and Tanner Carr and 2 great-nieces, Ava Ferguson and Aubree Carr.  He is preceded in death by his nephew, Jeremy Holmer and brother-in-law, Eugene "Chick" Miller. The Rite of the Reception of the Body will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, Ohio on Monday, February 14th at 4pm.  Friends will be received at St Mary’s from 4 pm to 7 pm on February 14th. Vesper service will conclude the evening beginning at 7pm. The Rite of the Reception of the Body will begin at 10am on Tuesday, February 15th at Our Lady of Hope, 320 Stump Pike Road, Attica, Ohio.  Friends will be received at Our Lady of Hope from 10 am until the time of a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022.  The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas will be principal celebrant. Burial will be Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Attica. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Attica; Stein Hospice, Sandusky and St. Mary, Vermilion. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.