In Memory of

James

Eugene

"Jim"

Szymanski

Obituary for James Eugene "Jim" Szymanski

James “Jim” Eugene Szymanski, age 74, passed away on Saturday November 12, 2022, in Manistee, Michigan with his family by his side.

He was born on January 18, 1948, in South Bend, Indiana to Lucian and Henrietta Szymanski. Jim graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1966. He worked as a technician for Xerox and was with the company for over 40 years.

When Jim was eight years old, he started playing the accordion. Because of his love for playing music, Jim and his younger brother, David, started a local band called “The James Boys” in 1974 and over the years they played around the area, delighting everyone who came to hear them.

On January 27, 1979, he married Rhonda Sue Mead, and they celebrated their 43rd anniversary this year. In the summer of ’89, Jim rode his bike all the way around Lake Michigan with his stepson, Jeffrey Sass. In October of 1991, Jim and Rhonda adopted their daughter, Sarah. Sarah and Jim walked the Mackinac Bridge every Labor Day consecutively for 29 years.

Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, playing golf, traveling, and exploring new towns, and most of all, fishing.

In addition to his wife, Rhonda, and daughter Sarah, Jim is survived by his brothers Paul and Dave; his seven grandchildren Jackson, William, Vinnie, Dakota, Chloe, Kaitlyn, and Hannah; and three great grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lucian and Henrietta Szymanski and his stepson Jeffrey Sass.

A mass in his honor will celebrated at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception in Niles, Michigan on Friday November 18, 2022, at 11:00AM. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will follow at M.R. Falcons, 3212 Keller Street, South Bend, IN 46628, at 1:30 PM where friends and family are invited to share stories and memories.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please share a memory with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee.