NEWARK: A funeral service for James "Jim" W. Lewis, 77, of Newark, OH will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at The Church of God at God's Acres, 725 North Cedar St., Newark, OH with Brother Irwin Sesher officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Lewis passed away on April 11, 2011 at his home. He was born on January 16, 1934 to the late Rufus and Bessie (Forman) Lewis in New Boston, OH.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marian F. (Linn) Lewis, whom he married August 31, 1955 in Tempe, AZ; sons, Timothy Lewis of St. Louisville, Barry (Wendy) Lewis and Steve (Beth) Lewis both of Newark; daughter, Lori (Blane) Ridenbaugh of Newark; grandchildren, Tracy (David) Kegley, Bryan (Sheila) Lewis, Michele (Keith) Wolfe, Trent (Amanda) Lewis, Tim Lewis Jr., Michael (Janel) Lewis, Annie (Jason) Houston, Jamie (Rodney) Wilson, Tyler (Andrea) Lewis, Bart (Melissa) Lewis, Marilyn Lewis, Kirk (Laura) Lewis, Summer Ridenbaugh, Teri (Sam) Schwartz, Mindy Lewis and Melissa Ridenbaugh; nine great-grandsons; and nine great-granddaughters; many nieces and nephews and his little Westie, Riley.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Thea Lewis; and brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Dorothy Craig.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on May 17, 1954 achieving rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received multiple Air Force commendation medals, including one in June of 1975 for conducting successful missions in Marinaras Island, Guam. Jim, Marian and Tim were stationed in Japan for 16 months where their second son, Barry was born. Jim flew F86 Fighter jets while there. He accepted an assignment to the retired reserves on March 5, 1979. He also accepted a special mission for the U.S. State Department in 1987-1988 in Lima, Peru working for the DEA in the war against drugs. In his retirement years he worked as a real estate agent for Don Myers, Century 21.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark, OH.

The Lewis family request that all guestbook condolences be signed at www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com and click obituaries/guestbook entry