James "Bob" Candle

Columbiana- James Robert “Bob” Candle, age 88, formerly of Leetonia, died Monday, July 13, 2015, at Essex III of Salem.

Mr. Candle was born, May 15, 1927, in East Palestine, a son of John and Sally Hisey Candle and had lived in the area all of his life.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Leetonia. He had served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a member of the York Drexler Post #5532 VFW in Washingtonville. Bob had been employed, as service director for The Village of Leetonia, water department, for 15 years, retiring in 1989.

His wife of 55 years, the former, Karen Kay Karlman, whom he married August 5, 1946 died December 14, 2002.

He is survived by two daughters, Deborah (Jack) Hawkins of Homeworth and Cara Jane (David) Brown of Sebastian, FL; a son, Michael (Deborah) Candle of New Middletown; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

A brother, Richard E. Candle, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia with Reverend Robert Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Leetonia where military honors will be accorded by Benjamin Firestone Post #290, American Legion.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Memorial tributes may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com