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Florence Agnes James, 87, of Battle Creek, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 peacefully at her home, surrounded by family. She was born February 14, 1931 in Canonsburg, PA, the daughter of Stanley and Antoinette (Smigiel) Mals. Florence, a small-town girl, hitches her star to a military man in the Air Force and lives a whirlwind life traveling the U.S. and raising her 6 kids in the Philippine Islands, Japan, and Okinawa. She meets the most fascinating people, makes lifelong friends with other military families and learns to appreciate other cultures. She teaches her children the valuable lesson that they are no better than anyone else regardless of race, color or creed. She settles her family in Battle Creek, MI. She makes a life with her husband and children supporting their goals, making sure her children go to church and have love and respect for God, her most important work. She supports her church, St. Jerome, and volunteers as much as possible. She makes lifelong friends at her church, making the members part of her family. She lives a life not by words, but as an example to her children that caring for others is most important to a life of happiness. She taught her children many lessons in selflessness and service to others, telling them often " your reward will come in heaven." Along the way, she works a job with the military, for which she has great respect. She joins and becomes Treasurer of the Polish National Alliance Club for many years. She enjoys bowling, sewing and admiring the many gardens her loving husband plants for her. She believed in having fresh flowers around her year-round, inside and out. Her many brothers and sisters were the light of her life, often singing together spontaneously whenever they were together. She regarded her many nieces and nephews, and their children as her own, always making them important and attending as many graduations, weddings, family reunions etc. as possible. She sent hundreds of greeting cards yearly to all of them remembering the important days in their lives. She read each greeting card thoroughly making sure it said exactly what she wanted. She enjoyed Polka music and often cleaned house with it blaring. She believed we should dance as often as possible, even if we were alone. Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye. Changing diapers well into her 70's, she enjoyed raising them as often and as much as needed. She believed they kept her young. She supported all of their goals and made their school functions a priority, even when she was not feeling so well. One of the highlights of her life was when her daughters took her to Italy to have an audience with Pope John Paul II. Her parents were Polish, her father an immigrant. Florence enjoyed every holiday and celebrated all of them at her home with family and friends. Christmas was her favorite. Florence knew life was short and enjoyed every minute of it, always making others a priority and knowing all that she did was in service to her Lord, Jesus Christ. Florence made a difference in many lives. She was giving and charitable, but never boasted of it. Often, she helped others without anyone knowing. She tried to make others happy and believed smiling at others could help make someone’s day. Florence was an amazing, strong, outgoing woman who made friends easily. There is too much to say about her in such a short space. Just ask someone that knew her. Florence did not want a funeral of tears but one of joy. She would love to know people danced the Polka at her final party. Let’s make that happen!
She is survived by her daughters, MSgt. Diana James (Ret), Darlene (Carl Johnson) James, and SMSgt. Denise James (Ret); sons, Donald James, Douglas (Tony) James, and MSgt. Dennis (Gwyn) James (Ret); brothers Chet Mals and Joseph Mals; grandchildren, Jeremy, Kaylee (Michael) Puff, Chelsea, Sara (Alex Jung), and Chase; step-grandchildren, Cory and Staci Pessetti and Nichole Vigar; and step-great grandchildren, Dakota, Dominic, and Hunter.
She was preceeded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; and siblings, Frank Mals, Anna Pacana, Raymond Mals, Elizabeth Korzinski, and Chesteria Vercholtz.
Visitation will be held at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service on Mon, Oct. 22 from 3-7 PM with a Rosary recited at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tue, Oct. 23 at 11:30 AM at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Burial will be at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Memorial tributes may be made to the American Heart Association, Veterans Administration, (Great Lakes) Home Hospice Care, Special Olympics, or St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service. (269) 965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com