James Toneff, age 89, passed away peacefully at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on Friday, January 26, 2018. Jim was born on November 19, 1928 in Toledo to George and Meta Toneff, the youngest of nine children. He graduated from the Machine Shop at Macomber High School and worked as a tool and die maker at various shops until his retirement from Dana Corporation.
Jim met the love of his life, Opal, at the Trianon Dance Hall in downtown Toledo, and they celebrated 68 years together on October 22, 2017.
Jim had a zest for life. He was an accomplished self-taught musician, playing the accordion in his younger years and the organ more recently. He collected stereo equipment and couldn't pass up a deal on a good used car even when it meant more cars than people in the household. Jim loved taking drives to places like Frankenmuth, MI for some accordion music or Vermillion, OH to sit by the lake, listening to his "super-sized" car stereo system along the way. He was a current member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior and former member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Jim loved and appreciated his family more and more with each passing year. He is survived by his wife, Opal (Keller); daughter, Mary; granddaughter, Lauren (Tony) Maziarz; in addition to many wonderful nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Thelma Hahn; niece, Carol Zachrich, was like a second daughter to her Uncle Jimmy. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Mitchel, Steve and Chris; and siblings who passed at childhood, Carl, Rosie, Neta, Eugene and infant brother.
Alzheimer's Disease affected Jim's later years. His family is forever grateful for special neighbors, friends, and more recently the staffs at West Park Place, Senior Care Management and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for the support and kindness shown. That Jim got to live out his years with his precious Opal by his side is a blessing beyond measure.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim's life on Thursday, February 1, 2018 with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 2820 W. Alexis Rd., Toledo, OH 43613 with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. in church. Interment will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. The Newcomer – Northwest Chapel (419-473-0300) assisted the family with professional services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
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