Obituaries
James D. Eshleman, 84
November 12, 1937 - March 25, 2022
James D. Eshleman, 84, of Millersville, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Born in Manor Twp., he was the son of the late Lloyd and Marian (Walter) Eshleman. Jim was the beloved husband of Marie F. (Walk) Eshleman, and they celebrated 64 years of marriage this past September.
Along with his wife, Jim is survived by his son, B. Keith Eshleman and his wife Lugene; his grandson, Chad J. Eshleman and his wife Jennifer; and his great-granddaughter, Anna Jade Eshleman; as well as his brother, Kenneth Eshleman, and his sister, Joan Lintner. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria H. Byrne.
Jim came from a poor family, so as a child he worked to help out his family by cleaning bricks for a local contractor and was paid a nickel a brick. One day as he was walking home from school, he walked past John Herr’s Market, and John Herr, Sr. was outside and asked him if he wanted a job unloading a watermelon truck. The rest was history. He met his wife, Marie, while working at John Herr’s. Jim and John Herr, Jr. worked together for many, many years until Jim bought the store from him in 2001. Jim worked at John Herr’s for 72 years, up until the time of his passing.
During his early years, Jim was involved with the boy scout troop in Millersville where he was both a scout and a troop leader.
Jim was well known as being a dedicated life member of the Millersville Fire Company (now known as Blue Rock Fire Rescue) since 1955, where he served as Fire Chief from 1962 – 2000. With nearly four decades in that post, Jim was possibly Lancaster County’s longest continuously serving Fire Chief. During his membership with the Millersville Fire Company, Jim also served as President, Vice President, Trustee and Safety Officer, as well as a past Lancaster County fire instructor. He served as the past President of the Lancaster County Fire Chief’s Association and Lancaster County Fireman’s Zone 6. Jim was also a former member of the Lancaster County Fireman’s Foundation, the Millersville Men’s Club, the Keystone State Fire Chiefs Association, and past chairman of the Lancaster County Radio Advisory Board.
Millersville meant so much to Jim. He lived all of his life in Millersville, and was always very community minded, doing whatever he could for the betterment of all. Over the years, he became a great Millersville historian. He received many awards for his community work, including the Red Rose Award, the Lancaster County Exceptional Citizen Award, Recognition from the Millersville Borough Council, and the Distinguished Service Award from Lancaster County Firemen’s Association.
Jim was known for two things in life – his very hard work ethic and his fire service, which consumed all of his time. He could be found every day working at John Herr’s Village Market from sunrise to sunset, or rushing out the door to a fire call in the community. During his midlife, he and his family enjoyed yearly trips to Wildwood, NJ. Later in life, he could be found scootering around John Herr’s Market on his blue scooter.
A viewing will take place at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 North George Street, Millersville, PA 17551, where the family will receive guests on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 5 PM – 8 PM, and again on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 9 AM – 12 Noon. Interment services will be held privately at the Masonville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations in Jim’s memory be made to the Blue Rock Fire Rescue, 26 East Charlotte Street, Millersville, PA, 17551. When stepping down from his position as Fire Chief, Jim was quoted in a local newspaper as saying “The hardest part is to educate the people – you’d be surprised at how many people don’t understand that we’re volunteers, and we do this for nothing.”
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
April 02, 2022
Keith, please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your Dad. We enjoyed living directly across the street from your parents for the last 31 years. Jim was always friendly and we also loved seeing him when we popped into the store. He we’ll be missed and thought of fondly. He was one of the most outstanding, outgoing and busiest members of the community that we knew and you knew he’d be there if you needed him. The neighborhood won’t be the same without him. Your entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Jim. -Tom and Janice Pfister
April 02, 2022
I an many other firefighters had the utmost respect for Jim. He trained many firefighters under him and was a mentor to all. Sometimes you had to listen carefully to what he was saying, but the end result was always what was best for his community and the Lancaster County fire service as a whole. A hard working man who always kept family and community first.
I appreciate knowing him and all he did.
God Bless You Jim at Station 905 in the sky.
Randy Gockley
Randall S. Gockley
April 02, 2022
Please accept our sincere sympathies for your loss of a really wonderful leader. My family lived in Millersville in the 1970’s and my ex-husband was a volunteer firefighter who worked with Jim. They used to race to see who could get to the fire house first. Now they can “race” in heaven. His dedication to the Fire Company and his business has been an inspiration for many people. Dottie and Eddie Donald.
April 01, 2022
Jim was an exceptional man, I am thankful to have met him and worked with him on several community projects.He will be missed. I also enjoyed our chats when I visited John Herr’s Market. He was always friendly, personable and went out of his ways to help others and myself. My condolences to the entire Eshleman family, especially his wife, Keith and Chad.
April 01, 2022
I offer my sincerest condolences to Marie, Keith, Lugene, Chad and his family. I was saddened to hear of his passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
April 01, 2022
Our sympathy to the Keith and the entire Eshleman family. Jim will always be well remembered. I had the pleasure of serving with Jim on the LCFA Radio Advisory Board “back in the day.” He was dynamic, outgoing, dedicated, friendly, and able to work with anyone. Blessed with Common Sense and great humor, he had an ability to make deals and work things out. What a legacy to leave behind! – Brian Auker
March 31, 2022
Our heartfelt condolences to Marie Keith, and family. Jim loved his family, Millersville, the fire company and John Herrs. I got to work with him for 10 years and always considered him a friend. He will be sorely missed and greatly remembered.
With love
Carleen Sanders
March 31, 2022
I wish to extend my condolences to the family of James D. Eshleman. Back in the mid 1960s, I worked at John Herr’s Village Market with Jim. How well I recall his dedication to the Millersville Fire Department. I am certain he will be missed.
Sincerely,
William Overly
Lancaster
March 31, 2022
Our deepest condolences to Keith and the Eshleman family. Jim and my dad (Lin H. McCord) were good friends. Enjoyed my brief times working at John Herr’s. Miss you Jim, R.I.P.
Ralph and Lori Cauler
March 31, 2022
Our sympathy to the Eshleman family. Bill knew Jim growing up in Millersville. Jim will always be remembered as “Citizen Jim of Millersville.” It is hard to list others who have given so much to the community. He touched so many lives in a positive way. RIP Jim.
March 31, 2022
Keith and the entire Eshelman family: I was sadened to learn of Jim’s passing and I want to extend my sincere condolences to all of you. I am sorry that I won’t be able to do so in person. Jim was Fire Chief during my time as Millersville’s Borough Manager. He was always very helpful and kind to me during my time there. Any time that we were working together he was generous with his knowledge and time. I very much appreciated that and I learned a great deal from him. I know that your family and the Millersville community will miss him tremendously. I wish you all peace and comfort now that Jim is resting from his service. His contributions will be remembered and will continue to benefit all.
March 30, 2022
RIP Big Jim! You had the biggest heart and were such a good man! The world needs more people like you!
March 29, 2022
RIP Jim. You were a treasure to the Millersville community.
Dominic Spadea
March 29, 2022
It was such a pleasure talking care of Jim we hit it off day one when I told him I knew Brittany Friel. Sending prayers for you and your family
- Visitation
- Friday, April 01, 2022
- 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 441 North George Street
- Millersville, PA 17551
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Visitation
- Saturday, April 02, 2022
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 441 North George Street
- Millersville, PA 17551
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
