James “Jim” Dlouhy
March 23rd, 1933 - June 28th, 2023
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Jim's Obituary
James “Jim” Dlouhy, 90, of Stevensville, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Hanson Hospice Center with his loving family at his side.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 3, 2023 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Gary Sprunger officiating. Burial will follow Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to FOP Lodge #96, Baroda or Stevensville American Legions Posts, Michiana Two-Cylinder Club or Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Jim was born March 21, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to James S. Sr. & Mary (Sacha) Dlouhy. His family moved to Southwest Michigan where he was raised and helped on the family fruit farm. He graduated from Stevensville High School, Class of 1951 and on May 8, 1954, married the former Betty JoAnn Johnson in Stevensville. Jim had numerous jobs from delivering soda pop, to mechanic work & body work, before finding his niche when he founded Lakeshore Body Shop in Stevensville in 1964. He operated his business for more than thirty years before retiring. Jim also served as a volunteer fireman and constable in Stevensville for several years and was fire chief for a time when he lived in St. Joseph Township. He had many hobbies ranging from vintage cars & tractors to horses & other farm animals.
Jim was very patriotic and loved the American Flag. He was very respectful of police, fire fighters and military personnel and the difficulty of their jobs. He was a very generous person beyond fault & at his own expense. He and Betty enjoyed spending time in Florida for over forty years and the time spent in the U-P. Jim developed numerous lasting friendships locally and across the state & country. He was an active member of the Michiana Two-cylinder Club for more than twenty years and a member of the FOP Lodge #96 in St. Joseph.
Jim is survived by his daughters-Barbara Walsh, Diana (Donald) Zech & Carol Palmer; grandchildren-Trey (Tara Snow) Romeo, Natalie Romeo, Katie Walsh, DJ (Stephanie) Zech & Dale Zech; one great-granddaughter Lily Dolan; two brothers-Anthony (Carol) Dlouhy & Jerry (Kathy) Dlouhy; several nieces & nephews, and his companion for the last four years Joyce Zacha. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Betty of more than sixty years on August 3, 2015, his daughter Marilyn Owca on December 30, 2001, an infant sister Caroline Dlouhy, and his parents.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 3, 2023 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Gary Sprunger officiating. Burial will follow Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to FOP Lodge #96, Baroda or Stevensville American Legions Posts, Michiana Two-Cylinder Club or Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Jim was born March 21, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to James S. Sr. & Mary (Sacha) Dlouhy. His family moved to Southwest Michigan where he was raised and helped on the family fruit farm. He graduated from Stevensville High School, Class of 1951 and on May 8, 1954, married the former Betty JoAnn Johnson in Stevensville. Jim had numerous jobs from delivering soda pop, to mechanic work & body work, before finding his niche when he founded Lakeshore Body Shop in Stevensville in 1964. He operated his business for more than thirty years before retiring. Jim also served as a volunteer fireman and constable in Stevensville for several years and was fire chief for a time when he lived in St. Joseph Township. He had many hobbies ranging from vintage cars & tractors to horses & other farm animals.
Jim was very patriotic and loved the American Flag. He was very respectful of police, fire fighters and military personnel and the difficulty of their jobs. He was a very generous person beyond fault & at his own expense. He and Betty enjoyed spending time in Florida for over forty years and the time spent in the U-P. Jim developed numerous lasting friendships locally and across the state & country. He was an active member of the Michiana Two-cylinder Club for more than twenty years and a member of the FOP Lodge #96 in St. Joseph.
Jim is survived by his daughters-Barbara Walsh, Diana (Donald) Zech & Carol Palmer; grandchildren-Trey (Tara Snow) Romeo, Natalie Romeo, Katie Walsh, DJ (Stephanie) Zech & Dale Zech; one great-granddaughter Lily Dolan; two brothers-Anthony (Carol) Dlouhy & Jerry (Kathy) Dlouhy; several nieces & nephews, and his companion for the last four years Joyce Zacha. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Betty of more than sixty years on August 3, 2015, his daughter Marilyn Owca on December 30, 2001, an infant sister Caroline Dlouhy, and his parents.
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