James "Jim" Edward Hager

     James “Jim” Edward Hager, age 94 years young, of Shippenville and Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on Saturday April 6, 2024, at his home in Spring Hill after a recent period of declining health.

     Born July 18, 1929 in New Bethlehem, he was a son of the late William Edward Hager and Elizabeth Barelli Hager.  He graduated from Clarion High School in 1947 and attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Clarion State College.

     Jim was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1951 and served with the 101st Airborne Division.  He was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany during the Korean War.

     Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1953, he returned to work with his father for the next 20 years in the family business, Hager Resurfacing & Supply, Inc., in Strattanville.  He purchased the business in 1973, retiring in 1990.

     Jim married the former Shirley Lee Cook in a civil ceremony in Winchester, Virginia, on New Year’s Eve 1953, and on June 5, 1954 he and Shirley were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Clarion.

     They had three sons: James “Jim” Edward Hager, Jr. who preceded him in death in 1992; William Edward Hager, III, and his wife, Diana, of Hawthorn, and Mark Edward Hager of Spring Hill, Florida.

     In addition to his wife and two sons, Jim is survived by three grandchildren: Stephanie R. Hager and husband, Steve Arose, of Chevy Chase, Maryland; William A. Hager and his fiancé, Andrea McKee, of Los Angeles, California, and Luke E. Hager of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and a great grandson, William McKee Hager, also of Los Angeles.

      Jim is also survived by a sister, Dolores Hager Boyer of Apollo; niece, Liz Boyer, and three nephews: Donnie Hager, John Hager and Jake Hager.

      In addition to his parents and son, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald “Don” Hager in 1990.

     Jim loved living a quiet and simple life on his farm in Paint Township during the summers and Spring Hill, Florida during the winter months. 

     Upon buying his first stock at the age of 16, and having been self-taught, he developed a keen instinct for investing in the stock market.   Jim continued to research companies and invest throughout his lifetime.   He was an original organizer of Clarion County Community Bank in 2004.

    Having been captain of his high school football team, Jim enjoyed sports, and as a season ticket holder, loved watching the Steelers, then later the Buccaneers, with his sons. He was an avid tennis player, getting the opportunity to watch his favorite professional players at Center Court in Wimbledon.

    Following his retirement, Jim liked taking his daily walks, up to 5 miles daily, missing only 4 days a year.  He enjoyed planting multiple varieties of trees on his farm in Pennsylvania and at his home in Florida, along with his devoted care and feeding of the birds and wild animals, enjoying God’s nature as a true steward of the land of which he was entrusted.

    He loved his Yorkshire Terrier companions (his fur babies) through the years: Maggie B., Winnie, Higgins, Reggie, Sassy, and Maggie B.-II, and equally loved his rescue Yorkies; Charlie, Cassie and Babee.  He is survived by his last beloved fur baby, Louie.

     Jim will be remembered by many for his quiet sense of humor and infectious laugh, and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

    Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service chapel, 233 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.

     A funeral service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church, 700 Wood Street, Clarion.  Reverend Rebecca Mihm, pastor of the church, will officiate.

     Interment will follow at the Clarion Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Craig E. Fleming American Legion Post #066 of Clarion.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in the name of James Edward Hager to The Arbor Day Foundation (online at arborday.org or by mail at 211 N. 12th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508); The Humane Society of the Nature Coast (online at humanerescue.org or by mail at 7200 Mobley Road, Brooksville, Florida 34601) or Tri County Animal Rescue Center (online at tricounty-arc.org or by mail at 9562 Route 322, Shippenville, Pennsylvania 16254).

     Online condolences may be sent to Jim’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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