May 15, 2014
James H. Hartwig, 73, of Bay City, our loving and devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend was born into eternal life on the morning of Thursday, May 15, 2014 at McLaren Oakland in Pontiac. Jim was born in Bay City on August 10, 1940, the son of the late Arthur and Helen (Oliger) Hartwig. A 1958 graduate of Bay City Central, Jim would go on to proudly serve our country and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He worked for General Motors for forty-three years, where he was known for his excellent work ethic, never missing a day of work. Jim had a true love for his family and was known for his annual Christmas parties, his love for University of Michigan football and his kind, gentle ways. He enjoyed seeing the best in others, and following the Detroit Tigers and Bay City Central football. Jim was a man of great faith and was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. His generous and caring ways will live on for generations to come. Left to cherish his memory are his two children, James J. and wife, Melissa Hartwig of Essexville and Kimberly Hartwig and her special companion, Michael Coty of Midland. Jim was the unconditional loving grandpa of Tiffany, Marissa and Gracey and the great-grandpa of Hayden and Ryder. He is also survived by his siblings, Violet and husband, Henry Harden, Eleanor and husband, Robert Mead, Patricia and husband, William Andrews, Richard and wife, Lorraine Hartwig, Robert Hartwig, Gerald Hartwig and sister-in-law, Kay Hartwig. Jim also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was welcomed home to heaven by his siblings, Marjorie and husband, Charles York, Thomas and wife, Romaine Hartwig, Bonnie and husband, Arnold Henderson and Arthur Hartwig. Jim's family will be present to receive visitors on Sunday, May 18, 2014 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Monday, May 19, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from 12:00 Noon until Jim's 1:00 PM Funeral Ceremony at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 955 N. Pine Rd., Hampton Twp. Interment will follow in Floral Gardens Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be directed to the wishes of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com.
Dear Kim and Jimmy and family…thinking of you and your family… Audra
Kim and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, my thoughts are with you during this difficult time…Take Care and May God Bless You All
Kim Pembroke Anderson
Thank you Ray. We remember all the good times going to the Esordi’s (the kids) after church and taking trips with you all.
Thank you so much. Sorry for your recent loss also. Prayers to you and Mick.
Melissa Hartwig lit a candle in memory of James H. Hartwig
Kim Jimmy and family:
I will always remember the great times your father and I had over the years.
My condolence in your time of sorrow.
Ray Esordi
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Hartwig family at this very sorrowful time.
Sally Glowicki
Dad, I love you so much. You make me want to be a better person. You always saw the best in others and I intend to do the same from no on. I miss you so much. Thank you for loving me. I watch the video that Uncle Bob and Aunt Anne gave me at graduation and see how much love you had for Jimmy and I. I love seeing how happy you were with us and how good you were with us. I remember you calling me “Ms. America” when I was younger. Thank you for being a good grandpa, father, brother and a wonderful person.Thank you for teaching me to be a good and loving mother to my daughter. You are my inspiration to be a better person and live life to the fullest and with no regrets. We will celebrate your life in the next few days and we even have Scott and Debbie coming from CA for you!!!! You loved kids and they always brought a smile to your face. You are respected and loved by many people and mostly by your loving family and brothers and sisters. I am so glad you are at peace now and not in any more pain. You will be missed and loved until we meet again. Thank you for being my Dad. I love you, Kim
Thank you Audra! Love you my friend since kindergarten. Hope to see you at our 30th reunion!
Thank you Kim! I hope to make it to the 30 year reunion and I look forward to seeing my kindergarten friend.
Uncle Bob!!!! I love you so much! I am so glad my Dad had you as his friend and I am glad you are my godparents. Your sense of humor was what made me love you so much. So many good memories of visiting you in Lansing and Fennville. The best gift you and Aunt Anne ever gave me was the baby video that I treasure and watch. I remember visiting you and we would play the old reel and I just loved watching it. I plan on getting it converted to DVD and have one made for Jimmy also. You were always there on Christmas before we would even wake up. I love you both and thank you for making the trip to see my Dad while he was in the hospital. Love, Kim
My condolences to Kim, Jim and your families. I have great memories with the Hartwig family on weekends with Jimmy and Kim – climbing up walls with Jimmy and performing “body lifting” ceremonies in the basement with my sisters, Kim and Jimmy. I also have special memories fishing with your father that I will never forget.
All my best,
Remi
My special friendship with Jim started in the fifth grade at MacGregor School to now. We had a speical bond and it showed when we both took catholic lessons together after I got out of the navy and when Anne & I were asked to be god-parents to Kim when she was born. We became Uncle Bob & Aunt Anne to both Kim and Jimmy and that is a treasure in itself. I will miss my special friend of over 63 years.
I know most of you know I have alway’s been a spartan fan and Jim and I over the years did have something to disagree about. But for this special friend, I will sign off by saying-GO Blue.
Love to all the Hartwig family!
Bob & Anne Parker
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of James H. Hartwig.
To Kim and Jimmy and all of the Hartwig family members.
Although I have been away for many many years I still have very fond memories of the times with the Hartwig family. I lived with Jim and Carolyn in 1966 and part of 1967 while my then husband Bob Hartwig was in Vietnam. Jim so graciously allowed me to live in his home while pregnant with my son Scott. Both Scott and Kim were born within three weeks of each other that year. It was a very joyful time in my life. and not quite two years later Deb and Jimmy were born within a couple of months of each other. I will always remember Jim for his kindness during that time in my life. May you rest in peace Jim. You are in my prayers and my memories.
I am very happy that my children will be able to be there with all of you during this very difficult time. God speed JIm. Carol Hartwig
Godspeed Uncle Jim..Although We Didn’t See Much Of Each Other I Fondly Remember You Giving ME A Big Hug Each Time We Passed ANd Asking Where I Was Flying To Next..xoxo
Thank you Remi. We have very fond memories also with your family going on vacations together. I wish my mom could have found some of those pictures as I would have loved to display them. I do have one with your Dad cutting Jimmy’s hair for his first haircut at your grandpa’s barber shop. Your grandpa is in the background of the picture and that picture will be on the slide show. Your grandma was like a grandma to me and I remember walking to the post office with her and then we would go to the City Dairy in Auburn. Hope to see you at our 30th Class Reunion. Love, Kim
Also, Ray I want you to know we used a picture of you for Dad’s slide show. You were cutting Jimmy’s hair for his 1st hair cut. Dad is in the background watching and you can see Clarence in the picture as well. I remember going to Auburn so they could get their haircuts and mom and I would go visit Grandma Auburn upstairs and walk to get her mail and go to the City Dairy. I am really going to miss my Dad a lot, and his funeral was just beautiful and was fit exactly to who my Dad was. I love and miss him. Kim