James Hurst

James Michael “Jim” Hurst age 82 of Laingsburg, MI, passed away Friday, February 23, 2018, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, February 26, 2018, with Fr. Thai Nguyen officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI. A Knights of Columbus presentation and a Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

James was born in Laingsburg, Michigan on November 12, 1935, the son of Michael and Helen (Baldwin) Hurst. He attended Reed country school until attending Laingsburg High School where he graduated. Jim married Marie Bartek on October 10, 1959, at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Bannister, MI.

Jim and Marie owned and operated J & M Restaurant and catering business in Elsie for 42 years.  Jim grew up on his family farm; he and Marie purchased 40 acres after their retirement and he used his team of Belgian horses to farm.  Jim enjoyed country music, drawing, painting, horses, archery and annual family vacations camping or to Nashville, TN to Opryland. Jim was an avid hunter and looked forward to his annual hunting trip out west with family and friends.  Jim was a little league coach, helped form the Elsie Dairy Festival (The Sun Festival); he helped found the Thorny Acres Sportsman's Club and also helped start Walter Keyes School for special needs children in St. John's, for his daughter Cheryl.  Jim and Marie served as the Grand Marshals of the Elsie Dairy Festival Parade.  He was very active and supportive of his community. He liked watching the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. His family and extended family were very important to him and he enjoyed visiting and time spent with them. Most of all, Jim loved the time he spent watching and supporting his children and grandchildren at their sporting and school events. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army.

He is survived by wife Marie Hurst of Laingsburg, MI, children: Cheryl Hurst of Laingsburg, MI, Teresa Bradford of Owosso, MI, Joe and Cindy Hurst of Elsie, MI, Beverly Samson of Elsie, MI, Pete and Debbie Hurst of Elsie, MI, Amy and Gary Loynes of Elsie, MI, Nicholas Hurst of Elsie, MI, grandchildren: Amanda and Michael Bradford, Cameron, Connar and Carter Hurst, Grace and Emma Samson, Luke, Matthew, Katy, and Aaron Hurst, Gavin, Tessa, and Chloe McCreery, and Martin Hurst, step grandchildren: Zach, Amanda, Cody, and Tyler Loynes, great grandchildren: Gemma, Alonzo, and Avaree, step great grandchildren: Tucker, Kortlynn, Ketlei, Owen, Ellie, and Addabella, brother in law Ken (Junior) Brink of Laingsburg, MI, and sister in law Janice Hurst of Laingsburg, MI.  He is also survived by many, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son Dominic, and siblings: Raymond, Clarence, John, Harold, Kate, Mable, and Margaret.

Memorials may be made to Ovid-Elsie Sports Boosters, Elsie Dairy Festival, St. Cyril's Catholic Church or Ovid- Elsie Little League. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.