James Bakita

James Bakita age 76, of Bannister, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI, on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor William Dye officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

James was born in Bannister, MI on October 11, 1940, the son of John G. and Anna T. (Hejl) Bakita.  He graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1958 and then from Baker College, Owosso, MI.  On October 31, 1968 Jim married Karen E. Ray in Texas.  Jim served his country in the Navy. He retired from Delfield Metal in Mt. Pleasant, MI. He was a Chicago Cubs and MSU Spartan Fan.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Bakita, of Bannister, MI, 3 daughters; Kathryn and Daniel Seip of Dewitt, MI, Anna and Steven Cherry of Upper Arlington, OH, Rebecca Bakita and Marty Glynn of Boston, MA, 2 sons; William and Debra Shinn of Clinton, MO, Thomas and Ralitza Bakita of Gilroy, CA, grandchildren; Alexander Bakita, Diana Bakita, Margret Cherry, Alistair Cherry, Calvin Hayes, Carter Hayes, Clara Hayes, John Longmate, Thomas Seip, Mary Seip, Glen Walkinshaw-Shinn, Christopher Shinn, Heather Shinn, great grandchildren; Jullee, Ashton, and Lauryn Walkinshaw, Bradley Shinn, Elizabeth Shinn, sister Margaret and Kenneth Hendrick, brothers; John and Pat Bakita of The Villages, FL, Joseph Bakita of Clearwater, FL, Stanley and Betty Bakita of Grand Rapids, MI, and Daniel and Gayle Bakita of Mattawan, MI.  Jim was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Houghton, and brother Phil Bakita.

Memorials may be made to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.