James Bargar

James O. Bargar, 81, of Central Lake, formerly of Bellaire, died peacefully, Friday, September 11, 2009 after watching his beloved Tigers with his loving daughter at his side at Munson Medical Center. Jim was born May 31, 1928, in Detroit, the son of Harold and Sparta (Willmes) Bargar. He moved to Bellaire in 1943 with his family to the farm on Eddy School Rd. He attended Bellaire High School and Northwestern Michigan College. On September 6, 1949 in Clinton, he married Karin Joan Fate. Jim went on to Milwaukee Mortuary School in 1956 and interned at the Hibbard Funeral Home in Traverse City. He purchased the Houghton Lake Funeral Home and flower shop in 1958 and later made a career change to Education. Jim graduated from MSU as an art teacher. He was hired by St. Johns public schools in 1965 and he taught there 13 years before retiring back to Bellaire in 1978. In Bellaire, Jim sold real Estate for All Seasons Reality and also had an art gallery over the business. In 1979 he purchased and ran Sandy Shores Resort in Central Lake with his daughter and son-in-law for 10 years. In 1983 he and Karin moved into the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes where he was the manager until his death. He received an award from the Michigan Funeral Directors Association for Fifty years of service as a licensed funeral director. Jim was very active in the Antrim Regional Theatre and on the Bellaire Men's Wednesday Night Bowling League for many years. Jim is survived by his children Jamie Karin (Jim) Smith of Bellaire, Kevin James (Marie) Bargar of Vincennes, IN, Jason (Julie) Bargar of Houston, TX, grandchildren Carrie (Ward) Schanhals, Jaclyn Smith, Katie (William) Taneyhill, Susan Bargar, Brandon Bargar, and Lucas Bargar, siblings Mary Jane (Frank) Erickson of Central Lake and Harold (Florence) Bargar of Omaha, NE, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Karin and his parents. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. A private family burial will be held in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire. Memorial donations may be directed to the Antrim County Commission on Aging. Please sign our online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.