James T. Oliver Ayers, 84 of Melbourne, Florida, passed away on Saturday, February 17th, 2024. He was born in Tunkhannock, PA on October 26th, 1939, and was one of 12 children of Duane B. and Thelma L. Ayers also of Tunkhannock.

After attending Tunkhannock High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957, trained for communications at Keesler AFB in Biloxi Mississippi and was immediately transferred to a remote site in Honshu, Japan where he specialized in close contact by morse code.

After returning to the US, he began 23 ½ years of employment at the Proctor and Gamble plant in Mehoopany, PA and in 1972 received certification as a private pilot. In 1981, he married Dorothy Mahoney and they enjoyed a very happy marriage of 43 years. As a volunteer, he worked for 27 years at Ascension Catholic Church thrift store in Melbourne, Florida.

He is survived by his sister Christine King of Largo, Florida, his brothers Williard Ayers of Cortland, NY, and Kenneth Ayers of Castle Creek, NY. His stepchildren, Debra Bowen of Melbourne, Florida, Karen and Kevin Mitchell of Springville, PA, Linda Mahoney of Laceyville, PA and Kevin and Irene Mahoney of Randolph, NJ. He is also survived by 12 step grandchildren, 21 step great grandchildren and 5 step great great grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his sisters, Delores, Louise, Betty, Eleanor and Alice, brothers Bob, Dwayne, Tom and stepson, Michael Mahoney.

A Memorial Visitation for James will be held at the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St., Laceyville, Pa 18623 on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Interment and a Military Honors service will follow the visitation and take place at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Stowell, PA.  The Military Honors Service will be conducted by members Rought Hall American Legion Post #510 and the Dennis Strong American Legion Post #457.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James' name to Hunts for Healing, 3 Coburn Hill Rd., Laceyville, PA 18623.

Condolences may be sent to:

Dorothy Ayers

4891 Erin Lane

Melbourne, FL 32940

Condolences may also be made online at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com