FOSTORIA | Well Known 1st Amendment Auditor, James Michael Mosier, 47, passed away peacefully at home Friday, January 17, 2026
James Mosier Obituary
James Mosier
James Michael Mosier, 47, passed away peacefully at home Friday, January 17, 2026, surrounded by love, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born December 16, 1978, James was known for his unmistakable personality, love of cats, passion for travel and adventure, and his skill in smoking meat. He took great pride in his collection of Weber grills and cherished the memories made with those he loved.
During the final three years of his life, James was lovingly cared for by Amy Caldwell, his longtime special friend, who remained faithfully by his side through illness and his final days.
He is survived by his daughter, Alexandrah Mosier; his mother, Janet Trautwein; and his sisters, Tamie Gantenbein, Camie Rushton, and Michelle Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Mosier.
A celebration of life will be at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends when arrangements are complete.
James will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him, especially by those who shared in his laughter, his food, his travels, and his heart.
Lake Mosier (Fostoria Reservoir 4) is one of Fostoria’s six upground reservoirs, built as part of the city’s water‑supply system and later developed as a key fishing and recreation area.
Name origin
Lake Mosier is named in honor of a local Fostoria serviceman with the Mosier surname who was killed in World War II, part of a broader decision to dedicate the city’s reservoirs to fallen veterans. In 1946, the four main reservoirs then in service were each given the name of the first Fostoria veteran in their branch of the armed forces who died in the war, and Reservoir 4 was designated “Lake Mosier” to commemorate that individual sacrifice.
Origins and purpose
Lake Mosier—also known as Reservoir 4—is an upground reservoir on the southwest side of Fostoria, supplied, like the other city reservoirs, by pumping from the East Branch of the Portage River. Fostoria’s reservoir system was built out across the 1900s to provide a reliable municipal water source, using man‑made storage basins instead of relying solely on wells or natural lakes.
Physical features and recreation
Lake Mosier covers about 91 acres of water and roughly 160 acres of surrounding land, making it one of the medium‑sized basins in the chain. It has supported fishing, small‑boat use, and birding, with about 1.5 miles of stone trail around the water and shorelines that attract waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
Role in the reservoir system and recent changes
Fostoria now uses six upground reservoirs totaling over 450 acres of water and 700 acres of land, with Reservoirs 1–5 (including Lake Mosier) named after individual war heroes and Reservoir 6 dedicated to all veterans as Veterans Memorial Reservoir. Recent city plans call for converting Reservoir 4/Lake Mosier into a wetlands‑style recreational area, shifting it from a traditional storage basin toward more habitat, wildlife, and low‑impact public use while other reservoirs continue to carry most of the water‑supply role.
Moiser’s Role in 1st Amendment Audits at Fostoria Police & City Building
James was well known in the community for holding Fostoria Police accountable when his rights were allegedly violated. His YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@UnlawfulLaw
