Obituary of James William Van Sickle

James William Van Sickle, known affectionately as Jim by his friends and family, passed away due to complications from COPD on March 16, 2025, in Prescott, Michigan, where he calmly embraced his final journey. Born on May 29, 1952, in West Branch, Michigan, Jim set out on a life path that would touch the hearts of everyone he knew with his wisdom, handy nature, and boundless creativity. Jim poured his life into his work as a truck driver and diesel mechanic, providing not just for his family but serving as a pivotal part of the communities he worked in. His inherent understanding of machinery and natural ability to fix anything with an engine made him not just an expert in his field but also the go-to person for family and friends in need of advice or assistance. Outside of work, Jim had an exhilarating passion for garden tractor racing, a unique hobby that not only fed his love for engines but also brought joy and excitement to those around him. This interest was another testament to his creative spirit and his eagerness to embrace the fun in life, creating lasting memories at every race.

Jim was a familial anchor, a father to Richard (Bobbie Jo), Stephanie, Jason (Shasta), James (Stephannie), and Amanda. His wisdom and life lessons resonate through his children, shaping them and their families for decades to come. A grandfather to Mary Jo, Sterling, Hunter, Raven, Aubrey, Jason, Adri, Melody, Leo, Autumn, Alicia, Austin, Johanna, Oroara, and McKenna and great-grandfather to Nevaeh, Zoey, and Easton. His siblings, Robert, Mary, Judy, Joe, Wendy, Rosa, and Sara, held a special place in his life, threading the lasting bond of family through the tapestry of years. Jim stepped into the shoes of the family patriarch with a grace and responsibility that came naturally to him after being preceded in death by his loving mother, Alice, his father, William, his wife, Libby, and siblings Wilma, John, and Pete. Jim was a man of few but impactful words, a guiding light, much like the North Star, for those who had the privilege of knowing him. His passing leaves behind a void that can never be filled, yet his legacy is a beacon that continues to illuminate the way for his family and friends. The Van Sickle family invites those who knew Jim to remember him not with sorrow but with the joy that he embraced life. His stories, his laughter, and the moments of benign mischief will be the legacy that endures beyond his years. Jim, a man who was as sturdy as the tractors he raced and as wondrous as the gardens he tended, has embarked on his ultimate journey, but the path he has left behind continues to guide and inspire all he has loved. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.