James F. "Fred" Thimmes, age 86 of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his residence. He was born September 24, 1939, in Lancaster, the son of George and Mary (Roscoe) Thimmes. Fred was a graduate of Lancaster High School's class of 1958. He retired from the Western-Southern Life Insurance Company with 33 years of service. He attended the First Baptist Church Lancaster. He was a member of the TCA train club for 40 years. Fred loved model trains. Many friends, family, and area boy scouts considered it a treat to visit his model train display that was in his basement for many years. He loved singing and led the singing at church and was a longtime member of the Lancaster Men's Chorus. Fred loved hunting, fishing, and travel.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bonnie (Butt) Thimmes; children, David Allen (Tari) Thimmes, of Lancaster, Jeffrey Frederick (Nancy) Thimmes, of Amanda, and James Andrew (Suzan) Thimmes, of Bremen; three grandchildren, Christopher (Erin) Thimmes and Jeffrey (Sloan) Thimmes, and Cearra (Jared) Lutz; four great grandchildren, Lilly, Dillan, Elias, and Mila; three step great grandchildren, Makaylla, Savannah, and Bentley. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Rosemary Dowley and Suzanne Breckenridge.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at the First Baptist Church Lancaster, 1950 Pleasantville Rd., Lancaster with Pastor Zac James officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lancaster. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the church.

Family requests memorial contributions to Fairhope Hospice, 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, OH, 43130 or First Baptist Church Lancaster, 1950 Pleasantville Rd., Lancaster, OH 43130.

Theller Funeral Home, Lancaster, is honored to care for the Thimmes family.