James "Jim" Spaniola

SPANIOLA, James “Jim” - Age 90, of Fenton passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St, Fenton, MI. Fr. Robert Copeland and Fr. David Harvey Concelebrant. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 11 AM - 8 PM with a Rosary at 7PM at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road. Visitation will also be held at 10AM until time of Mass on August 14, 2026. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make contributions to St. John the Evangelist Parish. Jim attended Swartz Creek High School and graduated in 1954. Jim attended the University of Miami until he was drafted. He served in the Army for two years as a Private, Target Airplane Crewman. Jim married Mae Wirt on August 1, 1964, in Swartz Creek, MI. He had many jobs over the years including working at AC Sparkplug, a division of GM and for another company where he traveled around to repair fax machines. Jim is well known as a photographer in the Flint and Grand Blanc area. Jim was an avid ham radio operator for more than 70 years with his call letters of K8UOU. The ham radio community assisted with communication for events like 911 and earthquakes. His other hobbies included skiing, golf, going to the gun range, candle making, sewing and embroidery. Jim was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic church where he served in many ministries over the years including as a Eucharistic Minister, the Befrienders and Parish council. He was also involved as a Eucharistic Minister at Genesys for 25 years. Surviving are his siblings: Patricia Schoenfield, Pauline Maurer, Daniel (Cheryl) Spaniola, Sr. Jacqueline Spaniola, and Nora Spaniola. Stepsisters: Karen Bloss, Sharon Smallwood and Sande (Mark) Rydzak. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. James was preceded in death by his wife, Mae (Wirt) Spaniola; parents, Paul and Leona (Merrill) Spaniola; brother, Paul T Spaniola II, sisters: Janice Caudle, Lois Durish, Phyllis Shumaker and brother, Carl Spaniola. Nieces: Gena Schoenfield and Amber Spaniola, Nephew: Steven Shumaker. Tributes may be posted at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.