James "Jim" Michael Mengel

James Michael Mengel, age 81, passed away unexpectedly on November 4, 2025. Jim was born on August 1, 1944, in Toledo, Ohio, to Milton and Esther (Scheerer) Mengel while his dad was stationed in Italy serving during World War II. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his much beloved daughter, Mandy Goetzke; his rock star son-in-law, Jordan Goetzke; his incredible grandchildren, Brody, Shealeigh, and Tenley; his ex-wife but still good friend and confidant, Marcia Mengel; his dear brother and friend, Rick (Gwen) Mengel of North Venice, Florida; his "good boy” dog, Bruno; and so many other cherished relatives, friends, neighbors, and past colleagues.

Jim graduated from DeVilbiss High School in Toledo in1962 and received a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Toledo in 1967. For most of his working years, Jim was in the television news business, starting in 1968 with WTVG-TV in Toledo as an on-air sports anchor, and ending his TV employment in 1997 in news management for WBNS-TV in Columbus. After retiring from the newsroom, Jim worked for eight years at St. Joseph Montessori School in Columbus—where his daughter was educated for ten years and his grandchildren now go—as its first development director. He retired fully in 2006.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed watching sports, golfing at Little Turtle Golf Club, wearing bow ties and crazy socks, watching sports, playing bar trivia with his good friends/members of the Wild Team Jim crew, solving crossword puzzles, watching sports, attracting bluebirds to his yard, mixing a dry martini, and watching sports. But his favorite extracurricular activity was spending time with his family at regularly held family dinners, family vacations at the lake, and all of the holidays. During these events, he held court, made toasts, told stories, showered the kids with love, and regaled everyone with corny dad jokes.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Jim’s honor at The Golf Club at Little Turtle, 5400 Little Turtle Way, Westerville, OH 43081, on Sunday, November 23, 2025. A program honoring Jim’s life will begin at noon with food, drinks, and fellowship to follow. Jim loved life, and we want to share his fun-loving spirit. So to celebrate our favorite guy, wear your bow ties; crazy socks; OSU, Blue Jackets, or Toledo gear; anything in blue (Jim’s favorite color); or whatever else feels cheerful and right.

Memorial contributions may be made to the tuition assistance or other preferred fund at St. Joseph Montessori School, 933 Hamlet Street, Columbus, OH 43201

https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E358095&id=34

We love you, Babbo.