Obituary of James Silsbe

James Glen Silsbe was born in Detroit on April 30, 1948. He was one of two boys born from the union of the late Glenn Silsbe and Shirley Neumann. He was raised in Southgate, attending First Baptist Church in Allen Park with his Aunt Joan and Dear Cousins Michael (Joanie) and David (Christina) Mimnaugh. It was there his faith sprouted and strengthened throughout his lifetime. James' attended Schafer High School graduating in 1966. He served his country honorably in the United States Army at Cameron Bay during the Vietnam Conflict. Jim had an artistic eye for detail. He designed and built many simple and complex structures for friends and Family. He attended Henry Ford Community College studying drafting and design. Jim used this gift for more than 30 years as a Quality Control Inspector for Ford Motor Company working at the Brownstown Parts Redistribution Center until retiring March 01, 2007. James married the love of his life the former, Denise Tallman on February 14, 1986 in Wyandotte where they resided until moving to Monroe in 1993 raising three children together. By nature, Jim was optimistic, happy, and soft-spoken with a big and honest heart. He was open, friendly and enjoyed lending a hand to anyone in need at a moment's notice. James loved to spend time near the water. He enjoyed summers on the boat whether tubing, visiting Crystal Bay, or BobLo Island, and most recently kayaking the local waters. His love of the outdoors extended to camping, tending to his vegetable garden, and backyard barbeques. Jim's precision extended to his hobbies of drawing, woodworking, tinkering in the yard, and tending to his birdfeeders. James Glen Silsbe, age 66, of Monroe passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. In addition to his parents, James' passing was preceded by his brother: Richard in 1985. To cherish his memory he leaves a beloved wife of twenty-nine years: Denise of Monroe; three children: Brian (Carly) Eckert of Dearborn, Niesa Silsbe of San Antonio, Texas, and Stacey Silsbe of Taylor; a sister-in-law: Judy Silsbe of Taylor; numerous nieces and nephews including: Debbie Gilliam, Jeff (Lorie) Silsbe, and Kim (Mike) Dembinski; and many great (+great) nieces and nephews. Close friends, family, neighbors and co-workers may gather from 1:00pm until 4:00pm on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service for an informal luncheon; 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will follow at 4:00pm also at Merkle's with Pastor Dale Hayford of Crosswalk Community Church officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the USO. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.