James T. Rufenacht, age 19 of Gratiot, was taken into God's loving arms on Sunday, July 3, 2011 as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on December 20, 1991 the first son of Jimmy and Julie (Karalis) Rufenacht.
James graduated from Black Hawk High School in 2010. He was very active in football, basketball, track, drama and choir. His junior year he signed up for The National Guard. He looked forward to serving his country and helping others. After graduating, he enrolled at U.W. Whitewater and was going to be in their R.O.T.C. program.
James loved his family very much and was a wonderful son and big brother. He also loved great times with his many friends. He will be deeply missed.
His life and memories will be lovingly carried on by his parents, Jimmy and Julie; brothers: Jayden, Jett and Jaylen, all of Gratiot, Jake and Scott of Arizona; Grandparents: Delbert and Coleen (Rufenacht) Soddy of Browntown; great-grandmother, Bernita Rufenacht; many cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Thomas and Marian Karalis; paternal grandfather, James F. Rufenacht.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 8, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot. Celebrant will be Monsignor Daniel Ganshert. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke funeral home, 1455 Mansion Dr., Monroe. A memorial fund will be established in his loving memory.
"With all of the thorns in God's garden, he has to pick a flower sometimes." We will miss him dearly, but he's only a prayer away.
James graduated from Black Hawk High School in 2010. He was very active in football, basketball, track, drama and choir. His junior year he signed up for The National Guard. He looked forward to serving his country and helping others. After graduating, he enrolled at U.W. Whitewater and was going to be in their R.O.T.C. program.
James loved his family very much and was a wonderful son and big brother. He also loved great times with his many friends. He will be deeply missed.
His life and memories will be lovingly carried on by his parents, Jimmy and Julie; brothers: Jayden, Jett and Jaylen, all of Gratiot, Jake and Scott of Arizona; Grandparents: Delbert and Coleen (Rufenacht) Soddy of Browntown; great-grandmother, Bernita Rufenacht; many cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Thomas and Marian Karalis; paternal grandfather, James F. Rufenacht.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 8, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot. Celebrant will be Monsignor Daniel Ganshert. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke funeral home, 1455 Mansion Dr., Monroe. A memorial fund will be established in his loving memory.
"With all of the thorns in God's garden, he has to pick a flower sometimes." We will miss him dearly, but he's only a prayer away.