JAMES EDWARD OHLRICH

James attended Rogers City High School and began his working career with sailing, for a brief period, with the Great Lakes Bradley Fleet. Upon marriage, he later moved to Alpena, where he worked with Earl Dubey & Sons in excavating, trucking and various construction activities in and around Alpena. He worked with masonry and later carpentry work with Pollard Builders of Alpena and finished his working career with Hunt Roofing Company of Alpena prior to retiring due to health. James was known as a skilled craftsman, having worked on numerous businesses, churches, and residential buildings in and around Alpena. It was difficult to drive through Alpena without him being able to point out many buildings he was proud to have been part of building or remodeling. He was well known for his honesty, positive work ethic and always performing his skills “the way it needs to be done.” This was true whether he applied himself at work, helping family or friends, or someone he just met. In his retirement, he continued to apply his skills, with the motto that “anything can be fixed,” repairing and bringing new life to broken antique furniture and clock repair, with special interest in antique string, chain, or turn-key clocks, showing ability to repair those that others had termed beyond repair. He also enjoyed making a variety of woodcraft lawn and home decorations. James took pride in his work, home, and especially his family. He will be sadly missed, always remembered and always respected by those whom had the privilege to know him.

James was a devoted and loving husband to Theresa; father of Nona M. (Bryan) Valley, Diane (Rickey) Shay, James E. (Susan) Ohlrich Jr., Arthur L. Ohlrich; five grandchildren, Jason Dagner, Melissa (Ed) Hoskinson, Jamie (Chad) Robillard, Alexander (Kristin) Marek, Blayne (Jeannette) Marek; 11 loving great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Louella Grawey, special cousin, Roger Ohlrich; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ohlrich was preceded in death by his son-in-law Richard Dagner; grandson, Chad E. Dagner; and special cousin, Gerald Ohlrich.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home on Friday from 2-8 p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. and continue Saturday at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish from 1 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. with Rev. Polycarp Mblarawa officiating.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorials: St. Anne Church or Habitat for Humanity