James C. Houser, age 72 of Mansfield, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Arbors at Mifflin Nursing Home. He was born on April 3, 1953, in Pontiac, Michigan, to the late Gale A. and Constance M. (Fischer) Houser, and on June 10, 1978, he married his wife Debra (Harris).
Jim graduated from Galion High School in 1971. He served in the United States Air Guard, and he worked several jobs throughout his life, most notably as a deputy sheriff for Richland County Sheriff’s Department and a firefighter and EMT for Madison Township. Most recently, he worked for Richland Correctional Institute, and he was a Madison Township Trustee. He was a member of the Masonic Temple and McElroy Road Church of Christ, and he drove limo for Mid-Ohio Limousine for many years.
He is survived by his wife Debbie Houser; his children Gregory (Jane) Houser and Jimmy (Mary) Woodke; his son-in-law Bill Kennedy; his grandchildren Corbin Woodke, Connor Woodke, Jaylynn Woodke, Makayla (Nathan) Golden, and Robert Laing; his siblings David (Alice) Houser, Becky Mansfield, Rick Dunaway, John (Katie) Dunaway, and Mike (Beth) Brown; and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gale and Connie Houser; his daughter Amy Kennedy; his siblings Carol Ann, Tony, Junior, Wanda, and Timmy; and Loretta and Jack Dunaway.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, 1106 Park Avenue East, Mansfield. Services will take place at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mansfield Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.wernergompf.com
Funeral Home: Werner-Gompf Funeral Services
Website: www.wernergompf.com