JAMES EARL SHOAF, age 91, of Bloomingburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at his home.

He was born on June 18, 1935 in Delaware County, Ohio to the late George and Kittie (Griffith) Shoaf. He was a graduate of Willis High School in Delaware, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University. James proudly served his country in the United States Army for eight consecutive years and was stationed in Germany and Korea. He retired from the former Ohio Bell, now AT&T. James was a past Mayor of Bloomingburg and served on the council for many years. He enjoyed teaching and programming computers, playing computer games, riding his motorcycle, and reading National Geographic magazines.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his grandson, Ricky Grove, and his mother-in-law, Carrie Ingersoll.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Eleanor Mae (Ingersoll) Shoaf, whom he married on February 6, 1971; his daughters, Sandra Jean (Randy) Thomas, Ellen Miller, and Beth (Dean) Fields; grandchildren, Michael Thomas, Matthew (Nikki) Thomas, Jason (Maria) Thomas, Kerri (James) VanSickle, Christine Grove, Jennifer Grove, Tiffany Uncapher, Jay Uncapher, and David Uncapher; twenty-one great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Summers Funeral Home with Danny Dodds officiating with burial to follow at the Bloomingburg Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday afternoon from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Online condolences may be sent to www.summersfuneralhome.com