James J. Petro

Birch Run, MI

Passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Covenant Medical Center Cooper; age 80 years. Jim was born on January 5, 1945, to Louis and Helen Petro in Willoughby, Ohio. Jim went to Catholic schools in Ohio before his family moved to Bay City, MI in 1962. Jim graduated from Bay City Central in 1962 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966. He was married to Myra Schiefer on September 6, 1969.

Jim started working for Michigan Bell in 1966 and retired in 1996 from AT&T. He played guitar with Marv Herzog band from 1967 till 1973. Jim loved corvettes, golfing, fishing, and playing cards. He enjoyed watching the Detroit Pistons but most of all his grandchildren brought him great joy.

Surviving besides his wife Myra are: children Christine (Troy) Reinert, David (Tracy) Petro, and Carrie (Chip) Douglas; grandchildren Kylee, Abby (Kenny) Snell, and Ben Reinert, Emily and Adam Petro, and Shawn Douglas and Caitlin Richardson; great-grandson Jacen Douglas; brother Lou (Janet) Petro; brothers-in-law Carl Schiefer, Mark (Jan) Schiefer, Dan Schiefer, and Eugene Heinlein; sisters-in-law Caroline (Don) Maurer, Connie Peterson, and Debbie (Loren) Palmreuter; and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Helen Petro, grandsons Alexander and Zachary Petro, and sisters-in-law Virginia Schiefer and Charlotte Heinlein.

Memorial Service will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St., Frankenmuth, Michigan. Jim's family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Lorenz Lutheran Church.