Rev. James O. Byrne, 99, died July 6, 2011, at St. Charles Center, Carthagena. He was a priest for 74 years and was the oldest living priest in the archdiocese of Cincinnati.

He was born Aug. 28, 1911, in Glynwood, to Thomas P. and Anna Cogan Byrne.

Surviving are nieces and nephews, Kathleen (Paul) Wehrle, Sidney, Mary Agnes (Robert) Cogan, Berea, Tom (Kathy) Byrne, Lima, Margie (Gene) Homan, Wapakoneta, Janet (Mike) Ott, Glynwood, Patty (Paul) Korte, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mary Ann Will, Minster, Dr. Ted (Mary Margaret) Will, Bemidgi, Minn., and Tom (Sandy) Will, Fon du Lac, Wis.

Deceased are siblings, Thomas Byrne, the Rev. John P. Byrne, CPPS, Sr. Mary Alice Byrne, RSM, and Margaret Will.

He studied at St. Gregory Seminary, Mount St. Mary's Seminary and was ordained on May 22, 1937, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati, by Archbishop John T. McNicholas. His first assignment was associate pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Northside, Cincinnati. He was appointed procurator in 1942 at Purcell High School, Cincinnati, and served until 1954. He was also appointed associate pastor at Nativity of Our Lord Church, Pleasant Ridge, Cincinnati. Later he also served as associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Cincinnati.

He served as pastor in the following parishes: St. Paul in Yellow Springs, St. Paul in Over-the-Rhine, St. Anthony in Madisonville, St. Marys in Urbana and St. Albert the Great in Kettering.

He was also a member of the Archdiocesan School Board and chaplain of the Legion of Mary, Curia of Northern Ohio. He served on the College of Consultors for the archdiocese and in 1954 selected the location for the establishment of Lehman Catholic High School, Sidney.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Marys, the Legion of Mary at Holy Rosary Parish, and a fourth degree member of St. Gaspar del Bufalo Assembly, Minster.

He retired from parish administration in 1980 with residence at Holy Rosary Parish, St. Marys. In 2004, he moved to St. Charles Center.

Reception of the body is 2 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, the Rev. Thomas Mannebach officiating. Visitation will continue until 8 p.m.

A Requiem Mass is 2 p.m. Monday at the church, the Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, archbishop of Cincinnati, and the Most Rev. Daniel Pilarczyk, con-celebrants. The Rev. Christopher Armstrong will preach. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery, Glynnwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rev. James O. Byrne Fund for Seminarians, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary or St. Charles Center.

Arrangement are being handled by Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, where condolences may be left at millerfuneralhomes.net.