James H. Mitchener Jr.

He was born Aug. 12, 1928, in Bertie Township, Sherkston, Ontario, Canada, the son of James Harold Sr. and Mildred Sherk Mitchener.

Jim was a graduate of Celoron High School class of 1946 and a 1949 graduate of Eastern Bible Institute.

He pastored churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and New York.

Jim was the director of Youth For Christ for three years.

He enjoyed working and camping.

Jim always had a project in the works, restoring a church or an old car. He restored five churches including Kiantone Congregational Church where he attended for many years.

Most people knew him as “the carpenter,” the “trolley guy” or “grandpa.”

Jim built homes and remodeled many homes in the area.

He thought about retiring at 65, but found himself climbing in the rafters at 75. At 80 he was still doing cabinet work and at 85 he started working with Bob Johnston to restore trolley 93. He was still working at 90 helping his son rebuild a camp.

Jim said he’s not taking his hammer with him as Heaven doesn’t need to be remodeled.

Jim is survived by his wife Ruth Wiltsie Mitchener, whom he married June 12, 1951, five children: James H. (Kristine) Mitchener, June R. (Peter) Scheira, Judy R. (Gary) Lindahl, John L. (Susan) Mitchener, and Jann R. (Mark) Lavine, 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Al (Maxine) Mitchener of St. Louis, Mo.

The funeral will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday in the Kiantone Congregational Church.

The Rev. Mel McGinnis, pastor and grandson, pastor Jeffery Mitchener, will officiate.

Burial will be in Fentonville Cemetery, Frewsburg.

The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m. Friday for a walk-through visitation at the Peterson Funeral Home, Frewsburg. Masks will be required.

Memorials may be made to the Kiantone Congregational Church or Trolley 93, c/o Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to Jim’s family at petersonfh.net.