WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
James D. Sharnas, 72, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, March 27, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.
He was born May 5, 1938, in Wickliffe, Ohio, a son of the late John and Florence (Pershing) Sharnas.
Jim had resided in Sturgis since 1982, coming from the Detroit area, and his early life was spent in Cleveland.
On Sept. 6, 1980, he married Nancy Mead in Waterford.
In 1982, Jim joined Sutton Tool Corporation in Sturgis, retiring in 1997. At the time of his retirement he held the position of president of the company.
He was a past member and Exalted Ruler of B.P.O. Elks #1381 and a past member of the Klinger Lake Country Club. He enjoyed playing golf and cards and wintering in Texas. He truly loved and cherished the annual camping trips with his sons and grandsons.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Nancy; four sons, James (Leslie) Sharnas of Sturgis, Johnathan (Cheryl) Sharnas of Davidson, David (Gina) Sharnas of Romeo and Michael (Jenna) Sharnas of Canton; a step-daughter, Kathleen Wolkoff of Madison, Wis.; two stepsons, Kevin (Liz) Nietzke of Sydney, Australia, and Kenneth (Melissa) Zachmann of Morgan Hill, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; a sister, Rosemary (Tomas “Ed”) Morris of Macedonia, Ohio; a brother, Robert (Edwina) Sharnas of VanBuren, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald “Butch” Sharnas.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Sharnas’s memory consider the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
