James Van Voorhis

James Robert 'Van' Van Voorhis, 67, of Kent, Ohio died unexpectedly Monday, March 10, 2003 at his home. Van grew up in Mansfield and was a 1953 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. In 1954, Van enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Metz, France as a transportation facilitator. Returning to Mansfield after his discharge in 1956, he became best known as an associate with Komito's Clothing on the Square. Later, he became a national sales manager for Durkee Foods where he worked most of his career. Recently, he went back to his love for the clothing industry, becoming a sales associate in the men's department at Steinmart in Canton, Ohio. Van loved jazz music, antique automobiles, classic films and sports. He was a member of a coffee club, the Bald Eagles.

He is survived by his children, Michele Van Voorhis and her companion, Christopher Goode of Lake Mary, Florida, Andrea and Eric Stevens and their children, Taylor and Ryan of Brimfield, and Melanie Carder and her daughter, Olivia of Akron, Ohio; fiancée, Shirley Gee of Rohnert Park, California; mother, Rebecca Jane Mosberg of Mansfield; brother, Richard Van Voorhis of Mansfield; sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Michael Fournier of Mansfield; first wife, Barbara Van Voorhis of Mansfield; and second wife, Carolyn Brinager of Cleveland, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Raymond Van Voorhis.

Friends may call at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, Friday, March 14 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home, Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.