It Happened in Crawford County: A family-owned business celebrates more than four decades

Whether it’s a fender bender or a deer hit, Jim Lederer’s Body Shop has always comes highly "wreck-o- mended." Jeremy is the son of Jim Lederer, the third generation of his family managing their autobody business the past 44 years.

Grandpa Chuck Lederer was the operator of Chuck’s Body Shop on West Irving Street. Prior to shop management, he served four years with Merrill’s Marauders in World War II. At one, time a partnership between Chuck Lederer and Don Hemminger was formed, although the two eventually decided to part ways. The decision of who would get the business came down to a flip of a coin.

Grandpa Chuck passed away in November 1970. His son, Jim Lederer, was only 19 at the time of his father’s death, and it was uncertain that Jim was ready to manage a body shop. Jim began his own career when he started at the Krauslock Oldsmobile dealership, as well as working as a body shop manager for Truka Chevrolet Garage. 

Around 1973, at the age of 23, Jim met his future wife, Angi. They worked together to make Jim’s dream of owning his body shop a reality. Jim purchased his current building at 903 S. Highland Ave. at a sheriff’s auction in 1978. He named it Jim Lederer’s Body Shop and began working alone right away. There was no ribbon-cutting, nothing formal — just a sign that read “I’m open.” Jim’s wife Angi believed in her husband’s vision. She took a job at General Electric to help support and get the body shop running. Angi was pregnant with daughter Jamie at this time. Then, in 1982, Jeremy was born.

When Jeremy was a child, he remembers being dropped off at the body shop to visit his dad. Jim would give Jeremy a board and some screws to keep him busy or little tasks for him to help. Jeremy went to Colonel Crawford, where he played basketball, graduating in 2001. His parents wanted him to try college, so he enrolled at Capitol University. Ultimately, he realized it was not for him; working at the body shop already had his heart at this point.

In 2002, after his college experience, Jeremy began working at the family business. He quickly learned that updates were needed. Jim had been open for 23 years prior to this and he was still writing estimates by hand. Jeremy began adding and updating technology into the office but not before starting at the very bottom. He swept floors, washed cars and was taught the business step by step.

Jeremy recalls it took at least 10 years to learn everything. Auto body work is an art. There isn’t one book you can read to learn it all. It requires a ton of training and hands-on work. It’s a long process to get every aspect of the business down, but a very rewarding one. The process begins when a customer gets into a collision. The vehicle gets assessed for damages and the insurance companies are then contacted with estimates. When they are OK'd, the vehicle gets torn down and the proper repairs are made. Matching paint and blending techniques make the car look brand new again.

Over the years, Lederer’s Body Shop has seen more than 20 employees, but now it is just father and son. In the last 10 years Jeremy has taken over the repair process and recently the estimates, parts ordering, customer service and everything in between. Jeremy will soon manage the business while dad, Jim, will stay and help. Jeremy's wife Jessica also helps at the body shop by washing cars and performing miscellaneous tasks when she’s not golfing or caring for their dog, Kilo. Jeremy thanks Jessica for her support while he works many extra hours a week to get everything done at the shop. 

Jeremy is very thankful for his dad giving him the opportunity and teaching him everything he needed to know to be successful. He adds that he’s excited to serve the community in the future for all their automotive repair needs. Above all, he thanks the loyal customers that have made Jim Lederer’s Body Shop a success.

Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.