James E. Bierschbach

James E. Bierschbach was a wealthy man in ways it mattered most"a happy life with his beloved wife, wonderful children and cherished grandchildren. He lived his life with integrity and honesty and expected the same in return. He was a guiding force at home or work and a peaceful presence to all around him, even in the midst of chaos. Laughter was one of his many pleasures and simplicity of lifestyle showed that true riches are best measured in the quality of a persons life. Jims story began in the 1926, when the United States was recovering from the First World War and enjoying industrial prosperity. By the end of the decade, the stock market crash made life difficult for American families, but the ensuing crisis also shaped the character of its citizens. Jim was born July 25, 1926 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Alexander and Lillian (Geiger) Bierschbach. His father worked at a steel manufacturing company in Toledo, Ohio while his mother remained at home to care for Jim and his younger sister Mary. Lillian suffered from epilepsy, which claimed her life in 1951, and the two children were sent to live in different homes. Jim first went to his uncle and aunt Julius and Christina Bierschbach and then to Frank and Vera Bierschbachs home, where he remained until he was 16. Jim grew up Beal City, Michigan and attended Beal City Schools until the 9th grade. Then at age 16, he landed a job with Ferro Manufacturing in Mt. Pleasant, having fudged about his age. Nevertheless, Ferro had a valued employee in Jim, who advanced to the role of Layout Inspector and remained with the company until it closed and was sold to Johnson Controls in 1983. Jim made the move to Madison Heights and worked for JC until he retired in 1988 after 44 years of faithful service. Eventually, he returned to Beal City, having enjoyed a family life that began when he met the lovely Mary Tower. As it happened, their first meeting came one evening when Mary was babysitting at the home of Jims friend. It was a snowy night, and Jim had tried to pull into the driveway but couldnt. When he came to the door to get help from his friend, he instead laid eyes on a beautiful young woman, who had a stirring reaction of her own. Years later, Mary still remembers what Jim was wearing that night and that she told herself, I have to have that man. And she did. The two were married on June 19, 1954 at St. Phillip Catholic Church in Reed City, Michigan. Jim and Mary were blessed with ten children"Fred, Keitha, twins Pete and Lydia, Donna, Jimmy, twins Clara and Carl, Mary and Alex"and all the joys and management challenges that come with a large family. One measured approach was put in place when Jim went to work with a six-inch metal ruler in his pocket. For when the children were young, Mary and one or two children joined him for lunch once a week. They brought Pixie coney dogs to Nelson Park, and Jim would take out his special ruler and cut the coney dogs in half for each of them. Because there were ten children, this special treat only came around every ten weeks or so"a long wait for children. They always looked forward to the outing, and every day when Jim came home from work, they fought over his lunch box to see who could finish his leftovers and the cold stale coffee. Jim was a quiet but stern father who didnt need words to communicate his expectations. One simple look, and his kids knew exactly what to do. Though firm, Jim could also laugh at life. One time when he was fishing in Lewiston with the boys, his son tipped over the boat, and Jim ended up sitting in a boat with water up to his chest. In all the chaos, he lost his dentures, and rumor has it that somewhere in that lake theres a big bass with a set of choppers. In later years, Jim and his son Pete restored a Model T over a period of two years during weekends and additional spare time. Their goal was to finish by the Beal City Centennial in 1975, yet the Model T 1924 Stake Truck went on display at many more car shows and parades. It was a source of pride in accomplishment for father and son. When the children were older and had families of their own, Jim and Mary headed south to winter in Arizona for a total of 13 years. They took trips to New England and Hawaii and to Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula for a second honeymoon on their 50th anniversary. They traveled to England, France and Germany, where Jim looked up the Bierschbach homestead to connect with his family history. In his own community, Jim was a longtime member of St. Joseph the Worker Church and a lifetime member of the Beal City Knights of Columbus Council 3651. He liked watching NASCAR and Tiger baseball and getting outdoors to fish and garden. Jim was most comfortable at home with friends and family around him. They will long remember his trademark expression whenever he heard or saw something unbelievable: Huh. It was that simple. James Bierschbach, 86, of Beal City, Michigan passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at McLaren Central Michigan in Mt. Pleasant. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary of Beal City; 10 children, Fred (Susan) Bierschbach of Platte City, MO, Keitha (Al) Cain of Northport, NY, Pete (Sue) Bierschbach of Midland, Lydia Bierschbach of Remus, Donna (Bob) Rogers of Salt Lake City, UT, James Bierschbach of Phoenix, AZ, Clara (Ron) Baldwin of Remus, Carl (Lisa) Bierschbach of Waterford, Mary (Heather Behrens) Bierschbach of Fenton and Alex (Jennifer) Bierschbach of Lake Isabella; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Anthony Scott Cain, Kelli Renae Baldwin, and Ryan Alexander Bierschbach; and his sister, Mary Gerren. A Funeral Mass for Jim will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 18, at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City with Father Patrick Jankowiak presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Friday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.