James A. Daecher, 83

James A. Daecher, 83, of Lancaster, died unexpectedly Saturday, May 13, 2006, at his residence.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Augustine and Rose Stoe Daecher. He was the husband of the former Rose Schmalhofer, who died in 1996.

Mr. Daecher was a dedicated police officer for the past 60 years. He was a Lieutenant for Lancaster City for 25 years before becoming the Chief of Police in West Lampeter Twp. for 20 years.   Most recently, he was a deputy sheriff at the Lancaster County Court House.

Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during WWII aboard the USS Converse stationed in the South Pacific.  He was a veteran of 11 campaigns as a Navy radar operator. He also coordinated the ships reunions, which occurred annually at various locations throughout the USA.

Mr. Daecher was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was an usher and a member of the finance and security committee. He was also a member of the Liederkranz.

Surviving are three children, Robert J., husband of Pamela Daecher of Lititz, Rosemarie, wife of Mark Kissinger of Conestoga, and Susan Salazar of Lampeter; 7 grandchildren, Alex, Ian, Amanda, James, Danielle, Alyse, and Sarah, one great grandchild, Gabrielle, and a sister-in-law, Sister Bernadine Schmalhofer M.S.B.T.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St, Lancaster, on Friday, May 19, at 10AM. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. Friends may be received on Thursday at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, from 7-9PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to St. Joseph Building Fund, 440 St. Joseph St, Lancaster, PA.