James E. Kneier

James E. Kneier, 84, of Englewood, OH, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Brookdale Care Center in Englewood. Born October 4, 1934 in Union City, OH, he was one of 12 children of the late Earl M. and Mildred (Bennet) Stiver. At a young age he lived and worked on farms in the Tipp City and Troy areas. His family then moved to Northridge (Dayton) and then to Florida when he was16. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 18 and served for 30 years, 20 as active duty and 10 years in the Navy Reserve. James' Navy career consisted of serving on the USS Forrestal for 2 years in the Gulf of Tonkin; Mine Sweeper Training School in South Carolina; aboard mine sweeper ships 8 years in Japan, Newfoundland, and as part of the Mine PAC. He retired from the Navy as an E6 First Class Petty Officer, earning various medals and commendations including Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the China Service Medal, the Korea Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for the city of Long Beach, CA for 17 years, first in the city's nursery, then as a heavy equipment operator. After working in California, he moved back to the Dayton area in 1998 to be with family. He then volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton for 7 years, earning the Volunteer of the Year Award. He then worked for United Fireworks in Jefferson Twp. for several years. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers and sisters Arlen, Kenny, John and Ed Stiver; Shirley Stiver, Mary Milburn McDaniel, Phyllis Wright and Elsie Beachler and an infant sister. Survived by brother Herbert (Judy) Stiver of Tipp City; sister-in-law Ruby Stiver of Dayton; numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call on the family from 12:00 - 1:00 PM Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center at Preble Memory Gardens - 3377 US Rt. 35 - West Alexandria, OH. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Jerry Carter presiding. Burial will follow at Preble Memory Gardens. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James E. Kneier please visit our Sympathy Store.