Home
starks logo
James  Vida

James “Jim” Vida

December 23rd, 1944 - October 25th, 2022

Jim's Obituary

James “Jim” Vida, 77, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph.

Jim was born December 23, 1944 in Niles, MI to Alex & Lenore (Gulbranson) Vida. He graduated from Riley High School in South Bend, IN and continued his education at Ivy Tech. On January 23, 1965 he married the love of his life Christine “Tina” Cionek in South Bend, IN. Jim worked as a pattern maker for Industrial Pattern Works for many years and finished out his career at Printek.

Jim is survived by his wife Christine “Tina” Vida; son Jim “BJ” (Philomena) Vida; daughter Becky (Mark) Carpenter; proud papa/grandpa to Joe (Jenny) Tacey, Megan Tacey, Abbi Vida, Olivia Carpenter and Alec Carpenter; and g-pa to great grandchildren Monroe Hecht, Penelope Hecht and Dodge Hecht. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bill Vida.

Jim was a very talented man. If you needed something made – he was the man. We have so many things adorning our homes made by his and moms hands. Constant reminders of him and his love for woodworking. During the summer months you’d find him and mom working alongside each other digging in the dirt in their beautiful yard. Having come from nothing he and mom built a beautiful life and home. His strong work ethic carried over not only to his children but all his grandchildren. And finally, Jim was a lifelong diehard ND fan! We will love you and will miss you always, but we have our memories and reminders to carry us through and we promise to carry on the ND tradition.

Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. No services will be held at this time. Those wishing to share a memory of Jim online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com


Service Details

View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.

Sign up for schedule updates