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James “Jim” Charles Dobias, aged 97 of Scottville, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington. Jim was born on November 6, 1915 in Baldwin to Frank and Josephine (Holkup) Dobias. He moved to Scottville in 1930 where he began farming the major part of his working life. He graduated from ScottvilleHigh School with the class of 1933, and on October 2, 1943 he married the love of his life, Kathlyn Marie Pankow at St. John’sLutheranChurch at Pelton Corners. They have celebrated 69 years together.
Jim was preceded in death by his brothers John, Frank, Joseph, Albert, and Charles, and his sister Georgia Dvorak.
Jim spent the majority of his working life as a dairy farmer, and later worked as a custodian for the Mason County Central Schools, retiring in 1978. Jim loved staying busy on the family farm dabbling in gardening, collecting tools, coins, and all sorts of miscellaneous items of interest, until he and Kathlyn moved to Sherman Oaks Manor in 2008. Upon his retirement, the couple spent winters in Lady Lake, Florida where they pursued numerous hobbies and played cards for hours on end.
He was totally devoted to his family and enjoyed get-together and conversations on all kinds of topics. He was a huge Detroit Tigers fan and cherished his involvement as a longtime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Scottville, and its predecessor St. JohnLutheranChurch. His family and the scores of people whose lives he touched will sorely miss him.
Jim will be greatly missed by his wife Kathlyn, his children Karen Rogers, and Lorna Dobias both of Scottville, James (Mary) Dobias of Ludington, Linda (Thomas) Andresen of Cary, NC, Matthew (Le’An) Dobias of Lawrenceburg, TN, and Mark (Patricia) Dobias of Allegan, 11 grandchildren Blake (Kristy Lambert) McCleary, Ryan (Reyla) McCleary, Lori and Greg Dobias, Bryan Dobias, Kellie (Clay) Coffey, Tanya (Keith) Merchant, Christian (Amanda) Andresen, Courtney Andresen, Emily and Elyssa Dobias, 4 great-grandchildren, his sister Bessie Wheeler of Ludington, his sisters-in-law Joan Dobias of Scottville, Charlotte Dobias of Cheyboygan, Evelyn Battige of Newaygo, and Loretta Pankow of Ludington, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held for Jim at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 7 at Our Savior Lutheran Church with his pastor, the Rev. James Schroeder officiating. Burial will take place at SugarGroveCemetery in the spring. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Our Savior Lutheran Church. Please visit Jim’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to read his Life Story, sign his guestbook, or to leave a memory of Jim for his family.
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