James J. Holka

Mr. Holka passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at the age of 89. The son of the late Sylvester and Theresa (Paciorkowski) Holka was born August 13, 1931 in Bay City, Michigan. Jim was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish and formerly had been a longtime member of St. Boniface. He was retired from Dow Corning and then drove many years for Graff Chevrolet. Jim loved his family and always put them first. He was happiest when socializing with family, friends and strangers. He was known for his great sense of humor and enjoyed playing softball on many different teams throughout the years, especially with his friends from the St. George Society. Jim also enjoyed golfing, bowling, walking and playing cards. No week was complete without the Sunday morning polka hour, polka dancing whenever he got the chance and a good Manhattan.
Mr. Holka is survived by his wife of 66 years the former, Marjorie Bartkowiak, whom he met at a dance at Pulaski Hall; six children, Michelle (Mark) Nichols of Boyne City, MI, Kathi (Jim) Socia of Largo, FL, Denise (Dean) DuFort of Grand Ledge, MI, David (Chris) Milch-Holka of Braintree, MA, Michael Holka of Bay City and Patrick Holka of Gladstone, MO; seven grandchildren, Nicole DuFort (Jacob Ervin), Scott DuFort, Kara Nichols (fiancée, Adam Park), Stacey Socia, Jimmy Socia (Valarie Hulbert), Andrea (Devin) Canute and Michael Holka Jr.; one great granddaughter, Cypress James Socia; sisters-in-law, Patricia Doble, Patricia Bartkowiak, Betty (Al) Williams and brother-in-law, Jerome (Nancy) Bartkowiak; lifelong friends, Mary Krzyzaniak and Ray Niezurawski. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Amanda Nichols; siblings, RoseMarie Michalski, Patricia Morse, Rita Cairns and Donald Holka; brother-in-law, Virgil Bartkowiak.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 14, 2021 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish.  Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. James Bessert with private entombment following in St. Patrick Mausoleum. Visitation will take place on Sunday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Holka will be taken to the church on Monday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. Memorials for Residential Hospice Care, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission or St. Catherine of Sienna Parish will be available.
We are currently still under the governor's executive order of social distancing and limited to 65 visitors in the chapel at one time. You may experience a wait while paying your respects, face coverings must be worn by non-vaccinated individuals.