James Otto (Jim) Koenigsknecht, having fought a long hard battle with diabetes, heart disease and cancer, Jim passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at his home, peacefully, surrounded by family. He was born December 6, 1946 at home in Fowler to parents, Alfred J. and Anna Rose (Simon) Koenigsknecht. He was second born of eight children. He attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Fowler High School. Following graduation he hired in at Fisher Body Division of General Motors, retiring with 41 plus years of service. He was a member of UAW Local # 602, the National Rifle Assoc., Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler Athletic Boosters, Fowler Conservation Club. He had also retired from Dallas Township Fire Department after 20 years of service. Jim had a passion for hunting, bear, moose, deer, elk etc. taking many hunting trips with family and friends and making many memories, of which he loved to tell the stories. He loved deer hunting with his grandchildren. He loved following his grandchildren through their sporting events, always there to offer praise and encouragement. Being involved from kindergarten to college, they could always count on Grandpa Jim. He married Marsha Jane Parsons, August 5, 1967 and they were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage this past summer. She survives him along with sons, Richard J. Koenigsknecht of Naples, FL and Scott M. (Jennifer) Koenigsknecht of Fowler; grandchildren, Madison, McKenzie, Josie, Cooper and Annie; sisters, Carol Eldridge of St. Johns, Diane Hulliberger of Dimondale; brothers, Tom (Jacque) Koenigsknecht of Perrinton, Mike (Diane) Koenigsknecht, Dale (Therese) Koenigsknecht, all of Fowler; sister-in-law, Jean (Fred Antes) Koenigsknecht of Fowler. Preceding Jim in death are his parents, in-laws, Richard A. and Barbara (Bennett) Parsons, brothers, Kenneth and Lawrence, nephews, Kenneth Jr. and Jeffrey L. Parsons and brother-in-law Douglas Eldridge. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 11144 W. Kent St. Fowler with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends Sunday and Monday, December 17 and 18, 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM with Rosaries prayed at 3:00 and 8:00 PM each day at The Most Holy Trinity Activity Center 11159 W. Kent St. Fowler. Memorial contributions may be made to No More Sidelines of Central Michigan, The Most Holy Trinity Education Trust Fund, Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or the charity of donor’s choice. Our most heartfelt thanks to Sparrow Home Hospice, Sue, Kay and Kristina in helping us as we prepared for Jim’s Journey to Heaven. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, still very dear. Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns..
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