James Montgomery "Slugo" Schlegel, 62, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at St. Vincent's Mercy Medical Hospital, Toledo, OH.

He was born on September 19, 1951 to James and Ava (Slater) Schlegel in Defiance. In 1985 he married Donna Jean (Hemmert) Schlegel.

James "Slugo" was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Defiance High School class of 1970. He then attended the Ohio Police Officers Training Academy and the Ohio Firefighters Training Academy. Slugo was a life member of VFW Post 3360, three time Past Commander, a member of the Defiance Fire Fighters Union Local 918 - Past President and Union Contract Negotiator, two times All State & All American Commander, a life member of Defiance AmVets, Defiance Eagles, Defiance Elks Past Trustee. Jim served in the US Navy attaining the rank of Boatswains Mate, Brown Water Navy, Viet Nam Mekong Delta, Combat Steveador Cheatham Annex at Williamsburg, VA. He also served as a Defiance County Sheriff's Deputy & K9 handler, a member of the Defiance Fire Department and was a Defiance Township Zoning Inspector.

Slugo is survived by his loving wife, Donna of Defiance, sons, Joshua (Lisa) Schlegel of Virginia Beach, VA, Jacob (Terri Hoffman) Schlegel of Defiance, OH, daughters, Sherene (Paul) Leanderson of Poulsbo, WA, Sara (Mark) Griffith of Concord, NC, step-sons, David (April) Williams of Westland, MI, Ted (Amanda) Williams of Bellefountaine, brother, Kerry (Melanie) Schlegel of Van Wert, sisters, Vicki (Joe) Bailey of Williamsburg, VA, Nancy (Bob) Nadeau of Defiance, OH, Lori (Diana Duff) Schlegel of Kona, HI, granddaughters, Maddi & Riley Griffith, and grandsons, Nolan Griffith & Landon Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the Memorial Service begins at 3:00 PM on Friday October, 25th, 2013 at Schaffer Funeral Home, in Defiance, OH with Father John Stites officiating.

Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.


Slugo requested that memorials be made to VFW #3360.

Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.