James M Falther

James Meriam Falther, age 92, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, in Centerville, Ohio. He was born on June 23, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Albert D. Falther Sr. and Margaret Ann (Meriam) Falther, and his brother, Albert D. Falther Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 years, Mary “Sis” Elisabeth (Elenz) Falther; his two sons, David James Falther (Jill) and Dale Edward Falther (Beth); Grandchildren Zachary and Teagen, his sister, Lucy Falther Snow; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and former campers whose lives he touched along the way.

Jim was a man who believed in working hard, taking care of his family, and enjoying the simple things in life. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He was happiest when he was outdoors, working with his hands, surrounded by family, or talking with people he had just met. Jim had a way of making people feel welcome, and throughout his life, he never seemed to meet a stranger.

Jim was the son of Albert D. Falther Sr. and Margaret Ann (Meriam) Falther. He grew up in Brecksville, Ohio, alongside his brother, Albert D. Falther Jr., and his sister, Lucy Ann Snow (Falther). His childhood in Brecksville helped shape the man he would become—independent, hardworking, resourceful, and always ready to take on whatever came next.

After graduating from Brecksville High School in 1953, Jim attended Purdue University to pursue an engineering degree. His professional life was spent in the construction industry, a career that suited his hands-on nature and strong work ethic. He started at the bottom as a laborer and worked his way through the ranks, becoming a foreman, superintendent, and eventually a construction project manager.

Later in his career, Jim became a Project Construction Manager for Meijer. His responsibilities began with new construction throughout Northern Ohio and eventually expanded to projects across Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. He took great pride in his work and in the people he worked with. He was the kind of person who believed you earned respect by showing up, working hard, and doing the job right.

But while his career was an important part of his life, Jim's greatest adventures happened outside of work.

In 1976, while still working his full-time construction job, Jim and Sis took a leap of faith and purchased Hidden Hills Campground in Jackson, Michigan. They moved their family there and began a chapter of their lives that would create some of their family's most lasting memories.

Hidden Hills was more than a campground to Jim. It became a place where he, Sis, David, and Dale worked side by side, learned from one another, and built a life together. Jim could fix things, build things, drive equipment, solve problems, and somehow always find time to talk with the campers.

He loved people.

Jim was outgoing and welcoming, and he took great pleasure in getting campers involved in the activities at Hidden Hills. He especially loved the Friday and Saturday night wagon rides around the campground's approximately 210 acres. If people wanted to go, Jim was going to make it happen. It was not unusual for him to make three, four, or even five wagon rides in one evening because so many campers wanted to ride.

Those wagon rides were about much more than driving around the campground. They were about people laughing, families spending time together, kids having fun, and Jim being right where he wanted to be—outside, surrounded by people, making memories.

For David and Dale, Hidden Hills was also a place where their father taught them lessons that went far beyond running a campground. They learned the value of hard work, responsibility, helping others, solving problems, and doing whatever needed to be done. They learned that sometimes you worked all day and then worked some more. They also learned that there was always time to stop, talk to someone, share a laugh, and enjoy life.

Jim and Sis eventually sold Hidden Hills after their sons had graduated from high school and trade school and moved to the Centerville, Ohio, area. Jim continued working for Meijer until his retirement in 2002 after 20 years with Meijer.

Jim also proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Seabee. His military service was another reflection of the dedication, determination, and willingness to work hard that defined so much of his life.

More than anything, Jim was a family man. He and Sis shared a life built over many years—through work, raising their family, running a campground, moving from one chapter to the next, and all the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make up a lifetime together.

Jim leaves behind much more than the places he worked and the things he built. He leaves behind memories—of a husband who loved his wife, a father who taught his sons by example, a brother and uncle who cared about his family, and a friend who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

For those who knew Jim, there will always be a little piece of him in the outdoors, in a good conversation, in the sound of people laughing, and in the memories of a time when family and hard work were at the center of everything.

Jim lived a long and full life. He worked hard, loved his family, served his country, built things, helped people, made friends, and created memories that will live on through the people who loved him.

He will be deeply missed, but he will never be forgotten.