Community mourns loss of former Judge Jim Hapner
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
Highland County lost a dear friend this week as longtime local attorney, community leader, former judge and state representative James D. Hapner passed away Monday, April 20, 2015 at his home in Lynchburg.
He was 86.
Mr. Hapner was a partner in the Hapner and Hapner Law Firm in Hillsboro with his brother, Jon Hapner, and his daughter, Kathryn Hapner.
Local attorney and former Judge Conrad Curren told The Highland County Press that Judge Hapner will be missed.
“I regret deeply to hear of his passing. He was a great man and a great lawyer,” Curren said. “Not only was he a great attorney, he was a very honorable man.
“Jim was an avid Ohio State fan, too. As a judge, he was always fair and even-handed. I will miss him.”
In addition to practicing law for several decades, Mr. Hapner also served as an Ohio state legislator, a judge of the Hillsboro Municipal Court and a law director for the city of Hillsboro.
Former Hillsboro Mayor Betty Bishop said, “I can truly say it was a sincere pleasure to work with Jim Hapner. He was a man who loved his work, his family, and his community. He will be missed.”
Mr. Hapner also served as the legal authority for the county's first CIC (Community Improvement Corporation) and was involved with numerous public and civic organizations for many years.
"Jim was one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, not just about law, but also the history of Hillsboro," said former Hillsboro City Auditor Rosemary Ryan. "I will miss him. He was always a gentleman."
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge (and former county prosecutor) Rocky Coss said: “As a young lawyer, I was impressed by his great intellect and was somewhat in awe of him. He had a wide range of knowledge about many things and would often recite in accurate detail numerous facts about both legal and non-legal topics.
“Jim was always prepared for court with an in-depth knowledge about the key topics in a court case. Over the years, I have practiced in over 30 counties in Ohio and been involved in several statewide organizations. When I would introduce myself as being an attorney from Hillsboro, on many occasions I was asked about James Hapner. He was universally respected by his colleagues.
“Jim was an amiable companion at legal functions and in other social settings. He will be missed by many.”
Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna agreed.
“Judge Hapner was a true gentleman and had an outstanding legal mind. He was gracious to me as a newcomer to Hillsboro 24 years ago and extremely helpful when I replaced him as Municipal Judge 15 years ago. I was fortunate to have Jim as my next-door neighbor for many years. He was loved by our family and will be missed.”
Former Highland County Commissioner Harriet Fenner said that she had known “Mr. Hapner and the rest of the Hapner family since I was 5 years old.
“His sister, Mary Elizabeth (Mary Libby) was a close friend of mine all through school, and she was a ‘Jeopardy’ winner, years ago.
"Jim will be missed."
Former Hillsboro City Councilman and longtime owner of Hillcrest Pharmacy John Fuller said this week, "Jim was one of my dearest friends. He was a really nice person. I told Louise (Mr. Hapner's wife) today that Jim is going to be happy up in Heaven and not to worry."
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Masonic Services at 7:45 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by Jeff Lyle, will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29. Burial with military honors presented by the Highland County Honor Guard will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery.
The Turner and Son Funeral Home (www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc) is serving the family.