James J. Houglan, M.D.

James J. Houglan, M.D., age 93, of Dover, Ohio, “passed away after a good life” on July 8, 2026 at Hennis Care Centre in Dover, following complications of pulmonary fibrosis and heart failure.

Dr. Jim was born in Akron, Ohio on March 29, 1933, to the late Hazel Irene “Mickey” (Chambers) and Hugh A. Houglan. He was a graduate of Strasburg High School, class of 1951, and proudly celebrated being part of Strasburg Class B undefeated football team in 1949. Dr. Jim also held the county Track Mile Run record for over 30 years and was Strasburg High School’s first Athletic Team Physician.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim studied Pharmacology at Ohio Northern University in 1955, and furthered his career at The Ohio State University School of Medicine, graduating as M.D. in 1959. Dr. Jim completed his internship at Mt. Caramel and Grant Hospitals, teaching medical physiology, emergency medicine, and obstetrics to nursing students.

In 1960, Dr. Houglan began his Family Practice in Dover, and joined the Union Hospital Medical Staff with privileges in general medicine, obstetric care, and anesthesiology, with an accomplishment of delivering over 2000 babies during his medical career. He served on the Union Hospital Board of Directors as Medical Staff President for many years, as well as Chief of Anesthesia. He also served as a member and President of the Tuscarawas County Medical Association. Dr. Jim retired from Family Practice in 1987, and continued anesthesia services at Union Hospital until he retired from medicine in 1996. Over his lifetime, he was an enthusiastic scratch golfer and member of the Union Country Club where he served many years as President, Board Member, and Golf Championship Winner. Dr. Jim also donated his time to the Masons and Tadmor Shrine. He was also a grand hobbyist of fly-fishing, tying many of his own fly ties, wood carving, quilting, cooking, and playing the banjo and ukulele.

Dr. Houglan is survived by his wife, Joanne Limbach, with whom he celebrated 29 years together in April 2026; daughter, Julie (Cris) Cornell; son, William (Gail) Houglan; grandchildren, Erik (Jen) Immel, Alexandra (Akhil Kandhari) Cornell, Jacqueline (Dr. Caleb Habeck) Cornell, Michael (Preston) Cornell, and Andrew Cornell; great-grandchildren, Emerson, Amelia, and James Cornell, and Ezra and Cora Habeck; sister, Cynthia Butler of Ballston Lake, New York; and niece, Kirsten Butler of Boston, Massachusetts.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Houglan was preceded in death by former wife, Norene Houglan; his daughter and her husband, Wendy and Bruce Immel; son-in-law, Cris Cornell; and brother-in-law, Harv Butler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the YMCA, or a charity of your choice in honor of Dr. Jim.

Cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes and Crematory in Dover. The family will be hosting a time of fellowship and food at The Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Please join the family in remembrance of Dr. Jim and the impact he had on his family and community. If you are unable to attend, please visit the funeral home’s webpage to sign an online guestbook for Dr. Jim.

This obituary was lovingly written by Dr. Jim and his family.