James "Jim" L. Pierstorff, 80, of Rockford passed away at Van Wert County Hospital at 4:41 AM, Tuesday, August 25, 2015.

Jim was born in Mercer County on April 8, 1935 to Victor L. and Beulah Elizabeth (Gehm) Pierstorff. He married Carol Rose Miller on August 27, 1960, and she survives in Rockford. They would have been married 55 years this Thursday.

Jim lived in the Rockford area all his life, and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1954, and then began driving truck.

He later was employed by the former Huffy's Bicycle Company in Celina, where he worked for 11 years. He then began driving truck full time, eventually retiring from driving.

He enjoyed collecting John Deere toy tractors and toy semis. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife Rose, is one son, Michael Pierstorff of Elkhart, Indiana and two grandchildren, Kalyn Pierstorff and Cody Pierstorff; 2 brother-in-laws, Rex (Dee) Miller, Berne, Indiana and Donnie (Susie) Miller, Rockford, Ohio; and 3 sister-in-laws: Mary (Archie) Hill, Huntertown, Indiana, Sharon (Jerry) Agler, Tennessee, and Sally Miller, Bluffton, Indiana.

Deceased are his parents, Victor L and Beulah Pierstorff; his sister, Carol Pierstorff; his father and mother-in-law, Harold and Mable Miller; and a brother-in-law, Merrill Miller.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Karen Tamorria officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m., and on Friday, one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, Hopewell, or to the Rockford Recreation Fund.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.