James D. Leland, Sr.

Bay City, Michigan

     James passed away Friday, July 20, 2012 at his residence, age 86.  He was born August 6, 1925 in Kalamazoo.  He married Eva Mae Charbonneau in Visitation Catholic Church on August 6, 1949; she predeceased him on April 3, 2010.  James was a WWII veteran and served his country with the US Army.  In 1945 he received the Purple Heart Medal after being wounded in France.  He retired from Dow Chemical Company on May 29, 1981 and was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church.  James was a member of the DAV Chapter #9; he loved watching the Detroit Tigers and was a true sportsman. 

     Surviving are four children: Susan (Eugene) DeLong, James (Brenda) Leland, Jr., Donna (Richard) Scheffel and Stephanie (Ken) Cieslinski, twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, one daughter in-law, Mary Leland, one brother in-law, Jack Matuszewski and one sister in-law, Isabelle Ruegsegger.  James was predeceased by a son, Patrick Leland, foster parents, Walter and Sylvia Ruegsegger, two sisters, Marie (Lawrence) Socia and Irene Matuszewski and one brother, Leo Ruegsegger.

     The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church.  Fr. Craig Albrecht will celebrate Mass and private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Military Honors, under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council will be held immediately after Mass outside of church.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2:00 to 8:00pm and at church on Wednesday after 10:00am.  A Parish Vigil Service for James will be held Tuesday at 7:00pm at the funeral home.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to “Family Wishes”, Mid-Michigan Hospice or St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church.  www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Notification Published by Squires Funeral Home

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