James L. Kintzele, Sr.

James L. Kintzele, Sr.
July 11, 1931 - February 22, 2021 

James L. "Jim"  Kintzele, Sr., 89, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at 2:00 am in his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Buffalo & 10th Streets, Michigan City, Indiana with  Rev. Kevin Huber officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Monday and from 8:30 am - 9:30 am Tuesday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.    

He was born July 11, 1931 in Michigan City, IN to the late Henry John and Hazel Garnett (Sieben) Kintzele, Sr. On March 7, 1992 in Michigan City, IN he married Donna "Melinda" Adams who survives in Michigan City.

Surviving are five children, Carol Kelly of Jacksonville, FL, James (Kay) Kintzele, Jr. of Chesterton, IN, Mary Kay (Tim) Mark of Trail Creek, IN, Judy (Matt) Hillmann of Three Oaks, MI and Ann (Pete) Chen of Long Grove, IL; fifteen grandchildren, Joshua (Laura) Kelly, Hope (Justin Deleo) Kelly, Joe Kelly, Jenny (Nate) Orsburn, James (Kara) Kintzele, III, Katy (Jordan) Gwiazdon, Cara (Steve) Smith, Zachary (Angela) Mark, Kellie (Matt) Duncan, Ben (Heather) Hillmann, Abe Hillmann, Allie (James) Plessinger, Alex Paterakis, Nick (Alyssa) Paterakis and Emma Paterakis; twenty-six great-grandchildren, Lily, Dominic, Persephone, Sebastian, Jakob, Sydney, Lauren, Jaime, Skye, Evie, Calvin, Emily, Lucy, Maggie, Elliot, Sam, Nora, Albert, Madison, Olivia, Fischer, Lydia, Logan, Eleanor, Violet and, Everett.

Also surviving is his sister, Eileen Borglin of New Buffalo, MI.

He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Marjorie Pawloski and Dorothy Kintzele; and two brothers Henry "Bud" Kintzele and Russell Kintzele.   

Jim began his career at Pullman Standard as a tool & dye marker and served many years as Business Agent for Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. He also worked at Indiana State Prison and previously owned Jim's Pleasure Inn. Jim retired in April of 2015 after 29 years of service to the Michigan City Sanitary District, 19 years as Superintendent of the Refuse Dept. 

He held the following elected offices; 20 years as member of the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees; 16 years as member of the Michigan City Common Council; 4 years as member of the LaPorte County Council. Jim was on the following boards and commissions; Michigan City Community Enrichment Corp., Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association, LaPorte County Solid Waste District Advisory Board, Indiana Dept. of Labor Common Construction Wage Committee, Liaison to the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board, Member of the Indiana School Board Association and the National School Board Association. He was active in the Democratic Party and a member of the Michigan City Democratic Athletic Club and served as Precinct Committeeman. Jim was a former member of the Michiana Humane Society, Tavern Owners Association, West Side Improvement Group, Eastport Neighborhood Association and the Exchange Club. He was awarded the Sagamore of The Wabash from Governor Joseph Kernan, Michigan City Area Schools Golden Apple Award and selected to attend the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England. Jim was an honorary lifetime member of the VOTECH Honor Society and as Superintendent of the Michigan City Refuse Dept. the city received an award from the Governor for recycling.

Contributions can be may to: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Open Door Adolescent Health Center or to the Michigan City Area Schools Endowment Fund.

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