James "Jim" Schindler

SCHINDLER Sr, James R, “Jim”, age 89, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025. Jim is now at home with the Lord. He invited Jesus into his life as a young boy around the age of 12. His growing faith guided him through his entire adult life influencing his family and career. Jim’s legacy of growing in his knowledge of God (working out his faith), loving and serving his wife ~ Rochelle, encouraging his family, conducting his professional duties with excellence, and serving the church, community, and world will live on through his family and those he impacted.

Jim’s life verse was Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Jim was a “Lumberjack” graduate of Oakwood High School in 1954. The 1953 Lumberjacks football team, which Jim captained, was inducted into the Oakwood Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016; celebrating an undefeated season. He received his BS from Northwestern University in 1958. Upon graduating from Northwestern, Jim attended the Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) and served in the US Navy before embarking on a successful business career. Jim was an early adopter of technology and served in various technology roles at NCR, The May Department Stores Company, and The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. before joining the E.S. Klosterman Company as Vice President. Jim eventually purchased the company and served as the CEO. He rebranded the name of the business to ESKCO, Inc. and grew the company into a leading regional manufacturing and distribution operation in the advertising industry.

Jim had a heart for serving people. During his nearly 30-year retirement, he was active in many local churches and faith-based non-profit agencies, went on several humanitarian mission trips to Africa and India, and enjoyed mentoring next gen leaders.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Claude Sr & Dorothy, and brother Claude Jr “Bud” Schindler. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rochelle; son Jay (wife Vicki), son Dave (wife Kristin), son Mike (wife Linda), and son Mark (wife Sharon); as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren (1 great grandson due in February 2026).

The family will greet friends from 10:00am to 11:00am on Thursday morning, January 8 at the Fairhaven Church Chapel, 637 E. Whipp Road, Centerville, Ohio. A celebration of life memorial service will follow at 11:00am with Rob Turner officiating. Burial at David’s Cemetery.

A special thank you is extended to Sherrie Jones-Tomkins, Deanna Throop, and Maria Schindler for partnering with Jim in ‘care-giving’ service to his wife, Rochelle. The family is very thankful for your serving hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Miami Valley Leadership Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that Jim was integral in founding along with the help of other local city transformation leaders.