James E. Sturgeon, 72 years old of Rockford, Ohio, passed away on Friday, October 22, 2010 at his residence. He was born on Tuesday, June 21, 1938 in Howard County, Indiana the son of the late William E. Sturgeon and the late Thelma R. (Wilson) Sturgeon. He married S. Joann Burgan on on May 31, 1959 in Kokomo, Indiana. He was a member of Praise Point United Brethren Church in Willshire, Ohio. James retired in September of 2003 as a pastor with the United Brethren in Christ Church. He pastored at New Hope United Brethren in Huntington, Park United Brethren in Bluffton, Calvary United Brethren in Rockford and the Decatur Church of the United Brethren in Christ. During college he served at Salem United Methodist Church in Wabash and prior to ministry he worked from 1956 to 1970 for Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana. He was a 1956 graduate of Western High School in Howard County and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974 and Masters of Christian Ministry in 1975 from Huntington University. . Surviving are his wife, S. Joann Sturgeon of Rockford, Ohio, daughter, Deborah (Jerry) Holmes of Adrian, Michigan, son, Joe (Ronda) Sturgeon of Haughton, Louisiana, daughter, Janette (Mark) Buzzard of Huntington, Indiana, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceding James in death were two brothers; Robert & Paul Sturgeon and one sister, Nina Townsend. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2010 in the Praise Point United Brethren Church with Pastor Wes Kuntzman officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Ohio. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, October 24 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Preferred memorials are to State of the Heart Hospice in Coldwater, Ohio or Camp Cotubic Youth Camp & Retreat Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
