AUBURN - Mr. James E. "Jim" Burkholder, 78, 6080 Oakridge Road, Auburn, passed away Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, at the Auburn Nursing Home.

Jim was born in Ridgeville, Ohio on Oct. 27, 1926, the son of James E. and Elise Fischer Burkholder. The family relocated to Cortland, where Jim graduated from Cortland High School. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion.

He began his career in the automobile industry in Auburn, as a Cadillac car salesman. His capabilities were brought to the attention of General Motors and he became a field representative for the Cadillac Division throughout the United States. For many years, he resided in New Jersey with his first wife, Anne Cox Burkholder, who predeceased him in 1990

After his retirement, he returned to Auburn and married Mary Farrell Burkholder. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, an avid gardener and traveler and enjoyed solving puzzles.

Surviving are his wife of 13 years, Mary F. Burkholder of Auburn; her children, Debra Bryant (Layne Ayers) of Auburn and Richard Bryant (Sherri) of Watertown, Conn.; grandchildren, Liam and Aidan Bryant; his brothers, William Burkholder of Texas and Charles Burkholder (Shirley) of Stow, Ohio; several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a sister, Marjorie Burkholder Healey of Cortland.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, in Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Farrell's Funeral Service, Inc., 84 South St., Auburn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Upstate NY Chapter, Box 127, Elbridge, NY 13060 or Muscular Dystrophy Association of CNY, 6993 Ridings Road No. 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.