James Albert Hoeh, Sr.

James A. (Jim) Hoeh, Sr., Sebewaing, age 97, passed away Saturday, March 19 at Northwood Meadows in Cass City.  He was born July 14, 1913 in Detroit to Albert C. and Mary E. (Stamnitz) Hoeh.  Jim attended elementary school in Pontiac and graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1931.  He later earned an engineering certificate from International Correspondence Schools.  Jim studied art at the Detroit School of Art for 2 years after high school, and enjoyed painting and sketching all his life.  As the Great Depression gripped the country in the early 1930s, Jim was fortunate to find work at Packard Motor Car Co., Detroit, in both the press room and later the die making department as a tool & die apprentice.

In 1937, Jim moved to Sebewaing to join his parents in operating Sebewaing Tool and Engineering Co.   Jim became an excellent tool, die and machinery designer.  Under Jim's direction as general manager and then president, and his dedication to quality craftsmanship, the company experienced growth and developed customers worldwide.  He was especially proud of Sebewaing Tool's skilled trades apprenticeship program and the many local young men that became skilled machinists and tool & die makers and made their careers with the company.   Jim remained active in company operations well into his nineties.

Jim was granted several patents for industrial applications as well as a copyright for the "Ice Buddy" ice spud, that he developed over his many years of ice fishing on Saginaw Bay, and which Sebewaing Tool and Engineering Co. now manufactures and sells to avid ice fishermen.  Jim had a passion for perch fishing and made his own spuds, poles and hooks for many years.  Jim also enjoyed grouse, pheasant and duck hunting, golfing (he was a charter member of Scenic Golf & Country Club, Pigeon), summer boating and fishing on Saginaw Bay and bowling.  Jim bowled for many years in both Sebewaing and Bay City and sponsored a strong team in the City League in Bay City for almost 30 years.  His team participated in many city, state and ABC national tournaments. He was inducted as a member of the Bay City Bowling Hall of Fame in 1996.  Perhaps his proudest bowling accomplishment was to roll a sanctioned 300 game at the age of 87-1/2 in 2001.  Jim continued to bowl, fish and golf well into his nineties. Jim was a 70 year member of Hubbhard-Winsor Lodge #420 F. & A. M. He was also a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Bay City and Elf Kurafeh Shrine, Saginaw. Jim was also a member of the B.P.O. Elks, Bay City.
Jim married the late Martha Ische in Detroit in 1934.  Jim and Martha had one son, James Jr.   Jim then married Agnes Dubey in 1946.  Their marriage produced a son, Bernard and daughter, Julie.   Jim later married Kazuko Hoefling in 1988.    Jim is survived by his wife Kazuko, son Bernard (Leilani) Hoeh, daughter Julie Massie, daughter-in-law Faye Hoeh, step daughters, Connie Hoefling, Denver, Colorado & Cindy (Ron) Shields of Shields, Michigan & grandchildren Ryan Hoeh, Angie (Chris) Miller, Brian (Lily) Hoeh and Travis May; great grandchildren Azia and Isiah May, Kelby Miller and Marin Hoeh.  Step grandfather of Alycia Frappert, Derek Frappert, & Olyvia Shields. And step great grandfather of Cory & Alexia Ross. Special caretaker, Kim Ewald. He was predeceased by his wives Martha & Agnes, one son, James Hoeh Jr. one grandson, Eric Hoeh, and one sister, Ruth Hoeh.

Visitation Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home, Sebewaing from 7-9pm and Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 3-9pm. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 1pm at the Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross (Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief), Heartland Hospice, or the Winsor Masonic Temple Association.