James R. "Policeman Jim" Oster 85, of Elyria passed away Sunday June 10, 2012 at EMH Healthcare in Elyria following a long illness. He was born September 20, 1926 in Elyria. James moved to New York City at twenty two months of age and returned to Elyria at age fifteen. He was a 1945 Elyria High School graduate. James was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 13, 1945, served with the Eleventh Airborne Division Company A. 187th Paraglider Infantry in the Philippines and Japan. He was honorably discharges November 30, 1946. James was appointed to the Elyria Police Department on May 1, 1951; he served as Director of Elyria Safety Town for twenty years; graduating over 10, 000 pre kindergarten children, took charge of Elyria School Crossing Guards, attended F.B.I. Academy at Quantico, VA in 1975, retired as a Lieutenant in 1979. James had also worked with Beal Lumber and at Elyria Memorial Hospital. James was an Eagle Scout with Troop 136 of Elyria, Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Services Award 1961, Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award 1965, Catholic Committee on Boy Scouting Diocese of Cleveland St. George Award 1969, Advisory Council on Sheriff's Affairs Law Officer of the Year 1972, State Honorary Life Membership Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers 1972, American Legion Post 12 of Elyria Police Officer of The Year1973, American Legion Post 12 Man of The Year 1990, and served with the Boy Scouts of America as Advancement Chairman, Merit Badge Counselor, and Webelos Leader. James was a member of St. Agnes Church in Elyria, American Legion Post 12, Lorain County Voiture 149 40 et 8, V.F.W. Post 1079, fraternal Order of Police Lodge 30 of Elyria. Survivors include his wife of sixty years; Carolyn B. (nee: Rhodes), two sons; James M. (Anne Conlon) of Elyria, Jeffrey R. of Elyria. Additional survivors include a granddaughter; Stephanie Charnovic (Heath) of Canton, (former wife of James M. Oster) Gloria Oster of Bay Village. He was preceded in death by his parents; Urban and Mary Margaret (nee: Weiland) Oster, and a sister; Ruth Rodriguez, and a sister in law; Grace Rhodes of Lakewood. Friends may call 4-7 PM Thursday June 14, 2012 at The Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57) Elyria (440)322-4626 where closing prayers will be at 9:30 AM Friday. Funeral Mass 10:00 AM Friday June 15, 2012 at St. Agnes Church 611 Lake Ave. Elyria. Rev. Fr. Albert Veigas, Pastor will be the Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Elyria with V.F.W. Post 1079 providing full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in James' memory can be sent to Elyria Police Department Safety Town Fund 18 West Ave. Elyria, OH 44035 Service: 10:00 AM Friday June 15, 2012 St. Agnes Church 611 Lake Ave. Elyria, Ohio Visitation: 4-7 PM Thursday June 14, 2012 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, Ohio