James L. Sisk

James (Jim) L. Sisk, surrounded by his loving family, went to be with the Lord on April 3, 2005. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev.Philip Quardokus officiating. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Memorial Park Cemetery. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Jim was born on June 7, 1918 to the union of Issac & Lou Birdie Sisk in Minnie Springs, MO. Jim was a share cropper for many years in Monette, Arkansas. His passion was putting his hands in the dirt. He was most comfortable with a pair of overalls on, plowing in the fields. He moved to Michigan in 1953 to take a job at Bendix Corporation to make a better life for his family that he loved so much. He retired from Bendix in 1980 and had many years to enjoy his retirement with his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He came to know and love the joys of planting flowers, quilting, canning, remodeling and cooking dinner with his wife for family get-togethers. He is survived by his wonderful wife of 66 years, Verner Ruth (Graddy). They were married on December 2, 1938 in Monette, Arkansas. He is also survived by 3 sons, Jim (Joyce) Sisk of Deland, FL; Eugene (Judy) Sisk of Hollow Rock, TN; Lonnie (Sandy) Sisk of Houston, TX; by 3 daughters, Lou Ann (Jerry) McGregor of St. Joseph, MI; Barbara (Richard) Grande of Benton Harbor, MI; Veda (Michael) Orosz of Arlington, TX. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. His sister Evelyn Waller of Muskegon, MI and brother Glen (Mary) Sisk of Benton Harbor, MI. He was preceded in death by a daughter Betty; grandson Phillip, great granddaughter Denise, great-great-grandson Jesse and 3 sisters, Bertha Kinder, Lilly Spurlin, Jessie Thomas,1 brother, Perry Sisk and his parents Issac Sisk & Birdie Sisk Young and his step father John Young.. Memorials can be made to the South Haven Area Hospice in honor of Jim.