Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn (Baltes) Phelan whom he married June 25, 1966; sons & daughters-in-law, Todd & Marti Phelan of Versailles, Ohio and Brent & Michelle Phelan of West Chester, Ohio; grandchildren, Andrew Phelan & fiancé, Amanda Frederick, Aaron Phelan, Alyssa Phelan, Kaylee Phelan, Anthony Phelan and Molly Phelan; sisters & brother-in-law, Jane Smith of Ft. Myers, Florida, Judith & Larry Grow of Cape Coral, Florida and Anne Cox of Ansonia, Ohio; brothers-in-law, Gene Baltes of Tiffin, Ohio, Joe & Linda Baltes of Florida, New York and Clete & Carolyn Baltes of Nobleboro, Maine; sisters-in-law, Rose Mary Raterman of Ft. Loramie, Ohio, Lou Edna Fullenkamp of Botkins, Ohio, Marlene Bettinger of Coldwater, Ohio, Helen Lovell of El Monte, California and Deb & Paul Eaton of Las Vegas, Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, A.L. Smith, F. Marion Cox, Tom Raterman, Floyd Fullenkamp, LaVerne Bettinger and Bill Lovell; and sister-in-law, Betty Baltes.
Jim began his career with Phelan Insurance Agency in 1962 where he remained active as an insurance professional until his death. Jim was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles; life member of the Versailles Knights of Columbus; and the Versailles Fraternal Order of Eagles. Jim was the 1970 Chairman of the Versailles Poultry Days; the 2013 Poultry Days Honorary Parade Marshal and was co-founder of the area Jaycees in 1965. Jim was Past President of the Versailles Development Association where he was instrumental in bringing the airport to Versailles. In 2008, Jim was named Citizen of the Year by the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce. He was President of the Ohio PIA in 1984; served on the executive committee of ACORD and was chairman and served on the executive committee of AMS Users Group.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, March 2, 2015 at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Fr. Carl Subler celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert Cemetery in Versailles. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. and Monday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. An “Irish Wake” will be held on Sunday from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at The Inn of Versailles. Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Hospice or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
