James Joseph "Jim" Stehlik

     James Joseph Stehlik, age 88, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at home with his family by his side.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, with Rev. Fr. Raj Bandaru presiding.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Township, MI.  Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. and on Monday from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

     James was born in Flint, Michigan on April 29, 1934, the son of Joseph J. and Rose Josephine (Barta) Stehlik.  He graduated from Elsie High School, with the class of 1952.  He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958.   On June 26, 1954, Jim married Helen Kral at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Bannister, Michigan. They were blessed with sixty-eight years.

     Jim was a lifelong farmer.  After his father died when he was sixteen, he helped his mother run the farm.  He began working for MMPA in 1959 until his retirement forty years later.  He lived in the Bannister and Ashley area all of his life.

     Jim was a lifelong member of St. Cyril's Catholic Church and involved in many activities of the church.  He has been on the Pastoral Parish Council since 1966, and a member of the Finance Committee.  He enjoyed working at the chicken dinners for over thirty years, singing in the choir and being an usher among many other things.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Lions' Club of Ashley and involved in their activities.  Jim loved deer camp, hunting, and fishing.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his "Model-A Baby."

     He is survived by his wife Helen, seven children: Diane (Mark) Losee, Rosemary (Kary) Cooper, Ken Stehlik, Sharon (Tom) Densmore, Randy (Karen) Stehlik, Jimmy (Jenni) Stehlik, and  Janette (Matt) Monroe; daughter-in-law Christine (Ron) Becher; twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and four siblings: Joseph Stehlik, Barbara Haruska, Larry (MaryAnn) Stehlik, and Theresa (Jim) Lytle; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son Alan J. Stehlik, siblings: Ed (JoAnn) Stehlik, and Fred (Frances) Stehlik; brother-in-law John Haruska, and sister-in-law Virginia Stehlik.

     Memorials may be made to St. Cyril's Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.