James R. Stover
His genuine kindness, warm humor, and unwavering dedication touched countless lives and will be fondly remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him.
A Celebration of Life will be held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Sixth and Locust Sts. Columbia PA on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
There will be no public viewing, however the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service
Private interment will be held in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, James R. Stover departed this life to enter a new life in heaven.
Jim was married for 63 years to his high school sweetheart, Melva Bughman Stover. He was the son of Elmer C. and Doris E. Zitzer Stover and was born on July 30, 1944. A proud graduate of Columbia High School, Class of 1962. Jim's lifelong passion was baseball. As a pitcher for Columbia High, he was known for his sharp curveball, and his teammates designated him as the Ace of the team and one of the best pitchers in Lancaster County.
Jim enjoyed target and clay bird shooting and was a member of the Columbia Fish and Game Association as well as a lifetime member of the Elstonville Sportsmen's Association. He was also an active member of the Lancaster Liederkranz since 1992 and a member of Grace E.C. Church in Columbia. Jim was a lifelong member of the former Columbia No. 1 fire department dedicating many decades to serving his community through his commitment to the volunteer fire service. He especially loved driving the departments 1955 Mack fire engine.
In 1963, Jim began working in the family business, Stover's News, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1886 and still operating today, marking 139 years of continuous service. Upon his father's retirement in 1982, Jim and his brother Rick continued the family legacy. Jim was the heart and soul behind Stovers. Jim found great joy in connecting with his community and sharing the stories that made Columbia home. A cherished local business that became a cornerstone of the community. To Jim, every customer, every employee, and every visitor was more than just a familiar face, they were a part of his extended family. His genuine kindness, warm humor, and unwavering dedication touched countless lives and will be fondly remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him. The impact he made within the community he so dearly loved will endure for generations to come. With 33 years of experience working alongside his father, James C. Stover will uphold the family tradition by continuing to operate the family owned business.
He is survived by his loving wife, Melva Stover. His children, Cindy, wife of Robert Fritz of Columbia; and James C. Stover of Lancaster. He also leaves behind Dr. Andreas Kehrer, a German exchange student from Munich who became like family. He is also survived by his siblings, Elmer K Stover Jr., husband to Joan of Reston; Sheila, wife of Henry Geib of New Freedom; Richard L. Stover of Columbia. Jim was blessed with six grandchildren - Cory Johnson, Justin Fritz, Kayla Cooperstein, Alexis Stover, Blake Stover, and Jaxon Stover - as well as ten great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his daughter, Kimberly, wife of Todd Callahan; his son, David Stover; and his parents, Elmer C. and Doris Stover.
A Celebration of Life will be held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Sixth and Locust Sts. Columbia PA on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Rick Fischl, officiating. There will be no public viewing, however the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Private interment will be held in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of James "Jim" Stover to Grace E.C Church, 36 N Eighth St. Street, Columbia, PA 17512 and/or to Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster PA 17604 or at www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org.
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