James "Jim" Paul Schaub, 85, of Traverse City passed away Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions with his loving family at his side.

Jim was born on the family farm on July 8, 1932 in Centerville Township MI to the late Paul and Helen (Sylt) Schaub. He was raised in a large family that included 10 children. He married Wilma Jean Durga on August 3, 1957. Together they lovingly raised five wonderful children.

Jim Honorably Jim served our Country in the United States Coast Guard as a Boatsman. He worked for Traverse City Area Public Schools as the proud caretaker for Thirlby Field for over 30 years. Jim was a member for over 50 years of both the St. Francis Catholic Church and Fraternal Order of the Eagles #383.

Jim was a proud gardener. He loved to grow beautiful vegetables, raspberries, and had the best peaches in Northern Michigan. Every year he donated his biggest pumpkins to both St. Francis and to the Eagles. He also liked to hunt and fish. Most importantly Jim loved to be a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He made many special memories fishing and riding the lawn mower with his grandchildren. Jim will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor, contagious smile, and love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving Jim is his wife of 60 devoted years, Wilma; children, Fredrick (Joyce) Schaub, Susan (Tom) Garvin, Mark (Cathy) Schaub, Cathy (Dimitris) Pantzartzis; grandchildren, Maegan (Shawn) Sprague, Jayson (Angie) Garvin, Kylee (Shayne) Gatzke, Jacob Schaub, Nicole (Jason) Dobson, Evan Pantzartzis; step-grandchildren, Mariana Graveline and Nick Lafuze; great-grandchildren, Aven, Allie, Olivia, Alexis, Ethan, Wesley, Tucker, Charlie, Layla, Aeralynn, Reghan, Braylin; siblings, siblings Eva Blohm, Jenny (John) McAulay, Bernard (Betty) Schaub Mary (Melvin) Schaub, David Schaub, Elizabeth McNeil, sister-in-law Ellie Schaub and many other loving family members and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Saundra "Sandy" siblings Fredrick, Norman and Philip.

Jim's family wishes to thank the Grand Traverse Pavilions and Hospice of Michigan for all their loving support and care over the past months.

Visitation will be Thursday November 2, 2017 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 5-7pm with a Rosary at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday November 3, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church at 2pm with a visitation beginning at 1pm. Rev. Fr. Kenneth Stachnik will officiate. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Jim's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .