James Leroy GieskeEast LeroyAge 81, died Sunday, July 30, 2017 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence. James was born on December 9, 1935, in Battle Creek, the son of Vincent H. and Lorena Mae (Guernsey) Gieske. He had been a lifelong resident of the area graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1953 and then attended Michigan State University. On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to the former Patricia Ann Shiaria who preceded him in death on June 19, 2016. James was a police officer for the Battle Creek Police Department as a Certified Traffic Investigator from 1961 to 1968 and then with the Calhoun County Sherriff Department from 1968 to 1998 where he was a Road Officer, Traffic Accidents, (Organized) Warrants Officer and a Evidence Technician. He worked at Gieske and Sons Meat, owner of City Food and Beverage from 1965 to 1967. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Life Member of F.O.P. (Fraternal Order of Police), Life Member of the Harley Owner Group, member of Emergency Assist Club (EARS), Past President of Calhoun County 25 Year Club, Past President Cereal City Cyclist Club, Past President of the Lions Club. James enjoyed farming, gardening, motor cycle riding and traveling. Surviving are children, Victor H. (Jessica) Gieske of Battle Creek, James L. (Nora) Gieske of Battle Creek, Sherry (Frank) Gieske Hulbert of Cocoa Beach, FL., and Mari (Scott) Gieske Parks of Palm Coast, FL; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; a sister, Janet Tolf of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Gieske Myers Hatchett in 1999; brothers, Jerry, Vincent "Vince", Jack and Joe Gieske ; a sister, Jill Burns. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m., at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday August 4, 2017, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Michigan FOP, 3474 Alaiedon Parkway Suite 500, Okemos, MI 48864. www.henryfuneralhome.org