Prominent Manistique businessman, "Jim" Slining, died at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital on September 8, 2006. Jim was the president and owner of Manistique Rentals, Inc. which was named "Business of the Year" in 2004. Jim’s company is also celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year, specializing in refuse/recycling service, gravel crushing (Jim’s passion), redi-mix, landscape stone, excavating, and heavy equipment rental.

George James (Jim) Slining was born in Gladstone, MI on May 10, 1928, the son of the late Charles S. Slining and Elfreda Mary Beckerleg. Jim and his family moved to 212 Arbutus Avenue, in Manistique, in 1942.

July 22, 1946, Jim married Elizabeth R. (Betty) Barnes at St. Joseph’s Church in Escanaba.

During High School, Jim had a band called 3 Jacks and a Jill. Sarah Stone was on piano, Ray Norberg on trombone, Jimmy Olesak on the french horn and Jim on trap drums. They often held Friday night dances upstairs of the Liberty Café (Ann Marie’s) and dances were held at the Birthday Grange Hall in Manistique Township. Admission was twenty-five cents.

Jim liked boats and was in the process of having his "Classic" ChrisCraft restored. Jim had a passion for volunteer fire fighting. He was president of the Schoolcraft County Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association. In 1951 he was general chairman of the first Fireman’s Tournament to be held in Manistique. Jim was also Chief of the Manistique Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Jim enjoyed trapping, fishing, hunting and going to camp. Jim loved being with his family and enjoyed musical plays with music from the "Big Band" era. Jim was a member of St. Francis de Sales Parish. He had also been a member of the Jaycees. He served on the 911 E Committee and was a member of the Solid Waste Planning Commission. He was instrumental in locating property for the weather tower which is now installed in Manistique Township.

Jim is survived by his wife, Betty, sons George J. (Sandi) Slining Jr. and David Slining, of Manistique, daughters, Susan Slining of Norway and Patricia "Trish" Forstner of Manistique, one brother, Charles S. Slining of Manistique and six grandchildren and three great grandsons.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Margaret "Peg" Slining and special sister-in-law Lorraine Slining.

Family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the St. Francis de Sales Church located in Manistique. Funeral services celebrating the life of Jim Slining will follow visitation, at 7:00PM, at St. Francis de Sales Church, with Rev. Fr. Glenn Thoret officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church parish hall. The Slining family respectfully requests that memorial contribution, in memory of Jim, be directed to an educational fund that has been established for Jim’s great grandchildren. Envelopes will be available throughout visitation at St. Francis de Sales. Committal will be in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Slining family with arrangements.