James D. Rihel, 73, of Boyers, passed away Sunday at home.

Born on June 2, 1941, in Boyers, he was the son of the late Paul Rihel and Hazel Miller Rihel.

James graduated from Moniteau High School.

James retired from Slippery Rock University as a locksmith.

James was a past fire chief of Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years and was also one of the first EMTs to start an ambulance service in Marion Township.

In his younger years, he enjoyed shooting his bow and going bowling, and he had many trophies from both hobbies. He was an excellent roller skater. He and his daughter would go skating when she was younger. James was especially proud of his three grandsons Patrick, Nicholas and Matthew.

James was also a regular at Kings Family Restaurant in Barkeyville where he will be greatly missed.

James is survived by his daughter, Kristy Martino of Boyers; his three grandsons, Patrick, Nicholas and Matthew Martino of Boyers; his sister, Ann Newburn and her husband, Gene, of Eau Claire; his three nephews Jon Rihel of Eau Claire and Adam and Ryan McKnight of Boyers; his niece, Mindy McKnight of Boyers, and several great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sister, Dixie McKnight and her husband, Ralph “Ed” McKnight, and his nephew, Nathan Newburn.

Rihel— The family of James D. Rihel, who passed away Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville.Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Willard Morse, retired Methodist minister, officiating. Interment will take place at Old Annandale Cemetery, Marion Township.Friends can e-mail condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net.