James Joseph Mielcarek

1937 - 2024

James Joseph Mielcarek
August 30, 2024
James Joseph Mielcarek was welcomed home by the Lord on August 30th 2024 at the age of 87. He was born on November 30th, 1937 to Elizabeth (Nowak) and Emery (Melzer) Mielcarek in Manistee, Michigan. He attended St. Joseph's School as a young boy and later attended Manistee High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Kay Ann Linke, on July 19th, 1958 at Guardian Angles Church in Manistee.
Together with Kay, James happily and proudly raised his two girls on Bar Lake, often inventing new ways to have fun and could be found side by side with his children enjoying new adventures in his younger years. His children were his greatest accomplishment and his deep love for them was easily observed.
Jim was a Butcher and a Meat Cutter by trade, working at a number of establishments in the county. In retirement he found himself in jobs that gave him the opportunity to spend his days interacting with people. His personality was one of warmth and great humor. He spent time driving the Dial-A-Ride and working at Wahr Hardware, where he was always able to bring a smile and a laugh to brighten someone's day. He greatly enjoyed these times and often recalled stories from this period.
Jim too was an outdoorsman, spending many years with his wife Kay, Salmon fishing the "big lake" aboard, "The Ruffian", their 28 foot, wooden Owens. He also enjoyed hunting deer and spent a few early mornings duck hunting from "the point" on Bar Lake. Hours were also spent casting baits out of the 14 ft aluminum boat on Bar Lake looking for Bass. All of these activities were done with family by his side, making fond memories whether the fish or hunt were successful or not.
Jim also greatly enjoyed sitting cross legged on the floor in front of his turn table, listening to records. He taught himself to play the guitar by sound and would strum his Gibson, Les Paul along to his favorite bands.
In the years after working Jim and his wife traveled the US, with their pop-up camper in tow. He also was an unwavering partner to Kay while she battled a breast cancer diagnosis for close to 20 years. He never batted an eye or whispered a complaint when called to drive to appointments or hold her hand through the pain.
Jim was also a Grandpa and a Great-Grandpa and these titles gave him an immense amount of joy. He was always sure to be at all of the grandchildren's big events and could be seen beaming with pride. In later years, the grandchildren would all come to him to recall what was happening in their lives and he would nod along
and offer kind, loving words of encouragement along with a little chuckle and a smile.
James is survived by his loving children, Kathy (Jerome) Wrzesinski, Cheryl (Al) Sherman. His adoring grandchildren, Jeri (Hans) Madsen, Jennifer (Tim) Stuck, Jessica Gilman and James Sherman. His Great-Grandchildren, Colin, Andrew, Adisyn, Nathan, Charlotte, Kayden, Emmet, Hannah, Zeke, and Lila. His in-laws, Rudy and Cookie Linke, Ken and Linda Soller, and Barbie Norgaurd as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Kay Ann Mielcarek, his mother and father Emery and Betty Mielcarek, his brothers, Robert Mielcarek, Donald Mielcarek, and David Mielcarek and his sister Jane Mielcarek, his in-laws, Harlan and Kathleen Linke and great grandson baby Jake.
Services will be held on September 11th at St Joseph's Church. Family will be present one hour prior to mass to receive guests.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, at 11:30 a.m. with Reverend James Bearss celebrant. Final internment will take place at Mount Carmel Cemetery, also in Manistee at a later date.
The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday morning from 10:30 a.m. until the mass at 11:30 a.m.
James was allowed to be in his home, surrounded by his daughters, during the last peaceful days of his life because of the love and care given to him and his family from the Hospice of Michigan team. A special thank you to Laura, Kim and Bob, all angels on Earth. Anyone interested in honoring Jim can do so with a donation to Hospice of Michigan at HOM.org.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.