James L. Newman, Sr., age 75, of Edgerton, Ohio, died Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2014, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he was admitted on Monday, after a brief illness. Mr. Newman was a 1955 graduate of Edon High School and received an Associate Degree in Diesel Engineering in 1995, from Ivy Tech where also received an Associate Degree in Accounting. He founded Manufactured Housing Enterprises in 1965, with the motto of “Building Dreams One Home At A Time” and was currently still working in the day to day operations as the CEO. His businesses also included JLN Home Builders, JLN, Inc, Northwest Mobile Home Estates, MHE, Inc, and JLN Farms. The business grew into the largest manufactured housing builder in the state of Ohio. Jim was a licensed pilot for twenty-five years, flying his own plane. He was a member of the Airplane Owners Pilot Association, the Manufactured Housing Board for fifteen years, the Manufacturing Housing Institute for thirty years and was treasurer of MHARR for twenty years.
James L. Newman, Sr. was born on November 17, 1938 near Edon, Ohio, the son of Carleton C. and LelaMae (Kinnison) Newman. He married Marcella “Marcy” Lucas on December 3, 1960, in Angola, Indiana and she preceded him death on March 3, 2004.
Survivors include his children, Daniel Newman, of Edgerton, Dee (Bruce) Smith, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Donna (Tom) Haase, of Hicksville, Ohio, Dolly (Nick) Shisler, of Oakwood, Ohio, Susie (Keven) Miller, of Edgerton, MaryJane (Terry) Fitzcharles, of Bryan, and Charlie (Robert) Rice, of Edgerton; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his longtime companion, Suzy Miller and her son Marcus Ryan; one brother, Joseph (MaryLou) Newman, of Bryan, and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Newman, also of Bryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, John Newman, one sister, Jane Youse, a daughter, Deb Kizer, son James Newman, Jr. and four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to the Williams County Airport Boosters, American Heart Association or American Diabetes Foundation.
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