James R. Bachtel Ii

James R. Bachtel II, 85, passed away unexpectedly at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown on Thursday June 29th. Jim preceded his beloved wife, Elaine, in death by mere days, but after a lifetime of love and dedication beyond words. Jim was born on May 1, 1932 in Canton, the son of James R. Sr. and Martha (Hawkins) Bachtel. He was a graduate of Canton Lincoln High School class of 1950, where he played football. He earned 1st Team All-Stark County and 3rd Team All-Ohio in 1949, and was also selected Stark County Player of the Year. Jim attended Syracuse University, where he played football for the Syracuse Orangemen. Jim retired in 1999 from Mahoney Sash and Door. He also worked at Iron City Sash and Door in Youngstown and later in Baltimore, MD as branch manager. Jim was a life member and past president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club. In 2015, he was inducted into the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame. Jim also coached the Canfield Little Cardinals football in the 1970's and was a former member of the Auxiliary Kent Police Force. Jim and Elaine, the former Margaret Elaine Prokop, were married for 58 years. He will be sorely missed by his children, Mike (Denise) Bachtel of Cleveland, James R. (Cindy) Bachtel III of Pittsburgh, and Martha (John) Kontur of Akron, 11 grandchildren, Adam Bachtel, Amanda Baker, Royse Bachtel, Ana Bucciero, Bethany Crum, Lydia Brown, Abigail Truex, Grace Kontur, John Kontur, James Kontur, and Margaret Kontur, as well as nine great grandchildren. They loved him as high as the sky and as deep as the sea. Because he made it so easy. Jim is survived by his much loved nephews, John Fitz and Robert Amon and nieces, Betsy Codispoti and Jennifer Benninger. Besides his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his two sisters, Jayne Amon, and Joan Benninger. Jim was an active member of St. Michael Church, Canfield, where friends may call on Monday, July 10 from 11:30 until a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canfield Fire Department Ambulance Fund in memory of James and Elaine Bachtel. 104 Lisbon Street Canfield, Ohio 44406.