James Philip Flohe

James Philip Flohe

Died April 16, 2016

LAKE LEELANAU – James Philip Flohe, 84, of Lake Leelanau, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Munson Medical Center with his loving family at his side.

  Jim was born Nov. 8, 1931 to Emil and Margaret (Mitchel) Flohe the oldest of a family of six on the family farm on Maple Valley Road in Suttons Bay.  He went to the Maple Valley County School on the corner of the Flohe farm until it closed.  Jim then went to St. Mary’s Schools graduating in 1950.

  He worked for Boone Excavating until his enlistment into the U.S. Air Force in February of 1952 to 1956, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Jim was head mechanic on a 1947 bomber during the Korean War.  In 1955, his plane won the General Electric Race from March Air Force Base, CA to Philadelphia.  After leaving the service he worked at Parson’s in Traverse City and also part time at Ted’s Standard Service of Lake Leelanau.

  When Parson’s moved to CA he went full time as mechanic at Ted’s Standard Service of which himself, Jim Jorgensen and Louis Lingaur bought the business and operated it until it was sold to Manitou Marine in 1998.

  On June 13, 1959 at St. Wenceslaus Church, Gills Pier, he married Lucille (Houdek) Flohe by Fr. Frederick Voss.

  Jim loved his family, his hobby of fixing antique cars, small equipment and farm machinery.  He also loved hunting, fishing, bowling, reading, playing cards, dancing, traveling and eating out.  He was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Church where he served as an usher, was a member of the men’s and mixed choir.  Jim also helped out at the church for school festivals on the quilt wheel.  He was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, a faithful controller for years joining in 1953 while in California.

  He was an honorary member of the Lake Leelanau VFW Post 7731, served on the Leland Township Board; he also served on the Leland Township Fire & Rescue department for 53 years retiring on March 3, 2010.  Jim joined the fire and rescue when it was the Lake Leelanau Volunteer Fire Department.

  Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lucille; a daughter, Patricia (Robert) Janisse of Gaylord, a son, James Willard (Amanda) Flohe of Lake Leelanau; a sister, Judy Harvey; three brothers, Donald (Joanne) Flohe, Noel (Mary Lou) Flohe, and Mark Flohe; four grandchildren, Caitlin (Kyle) Nystrom, Megan Flohe, Brandon Abel, and Brennan Flohe; three step-grandchildren, Sandy (fiance Daniel Perron) Janisse, Robert (Laura) Janisse, Kevin (Debbie) Janisse; and four step great-grandchildren, Samuel, Matthew, Tristan, and Christianna Janisse.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard; a brother in law, David Harvey; and a step great-grandson, Connor Janisse.

  Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22 with the family greeting friends one hour prior, also at the church.  Burial at St. Mary Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Fr. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.  A luncheon will follow in the church social hall.

  Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Schools, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or Leland Twp Fire & Rescue, 201 Grand Ave, Leland, MI, 49654 and/or Leelanau Christian Neighbors Food Pantry, P.O. Box 32, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682.

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