James C. Sterly

James Cletus Sterly, 73 of Petoskey, Michigan, passed away on May 11, 2023.

Son of Lawrence and Violet Grace (Lentz) Sterly, James was born on December 25, 1949, in Petoskey. He attended St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis Catholic High School in 1968.

On July 22, 1972, he married Barbara Schierschmidt at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Petoskey.

James was in the Michigan National Guard Reserves as a cook in Cheboygan, Michigan.

James was a dairy farmer. He enjoyed it very much and was a member of the Michigan Milk Producer Association, Soil District and Farm Bureau.

He also enjoyed remodeling, tinkering, and building. He built and did remodeling work often on his home. 

James was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Boyne Falls, Michigan and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zephyrhills, Florida. He also sang in the St. Augustine Choir for 30 years.

Family meant everything to James. He was a wise mentor for his young workers on the farm and it made his day if he could get someone to smile.

James is survived by his loving wife Barbara Sterly of almost 51 years; his children Matt (Ginger), Mike (Dara), Ryan (Mandi), and Kristina; his grandchildren: Abby, Kristopher, Robert, Megan, Kerlystin, Alicia, Sarah, Kassie, Kaela, Clarence, Helen, Willow, Henry, and Josephine; his siblings: Joe (Penny), Julie (Frank) Holzsch, Jerry (Deb), Janice (Jeff) Jarvis, and Juanita (Pat) O’Brian; his brother-in-law Bob (Ellen) Schiershmidt; and sister-in-law Catherine.

He is preceded in death by his son Mark; brother Jeff; and sister-in-law Marla.

Those wishing to make a charitable donation in James’s memory are asked to consider the St. Augustine Choir or Boyne Valley Food Pantry.

A visitation for James will be held at the St. Augustine Catholic Church on May 18, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be officiated by Father Dennis Stilwell on May 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM, visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey at 2:00 PM on May 19, 2023.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc.

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