James E Schleben

Jim was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI, to Rudy and Martha Schleben. He was baptized in December of 1956. Later, his family moved to Bay City, MI, where he attended Zion Lutheran Church and School. He was confirmed April 4, 1971. He graduated from Bay City Western High School in 1975, and from Central Michigan University in 1979 with a dual degree in psychology and political science.

During high school, he met the love of his life, Dev Mueller. They married July 29, 1978, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bay City.

He started working for General Motors in 1979 as a supervisor at the Central Foundry in Saginaw. Over the years he held several roles in the Lansing plants as a supervisor in Production, Maintenance, Machine Repair, Manufacturing Engineering, Material/Production Control, and as the Material Director. He also served as Area Manager in Trim at Lansing Car Assembly, General Assembly and Body at Detroit Hamtramck, Body at Lansing Delta Township, and General Assembly Area Manager at Lansing Grand River. He retired after 39 years of dedicated service.

Jim and Dev were longtime members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI. Jim served in a variety of roles at OSL over the years, including elder, trustee, and board member.

Jim was happiest when he was on the water fishing or in the woods hunting. He especially enjoyed spending time with the family at the cabin. In his retirement years, he found a new hobby in wood carving. His specialties – bears, eagles, and raccoons – were often named by his grandchildren and impressed many visitors.

Most importantly, Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved Dev fiercely, and together they shared a lifetime of moments, milestones, and adventures. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He was proud of his children and loved watching them grow and start their own families. In recent years, his grandchildren brought him great joy. He loved spending time with them and watching all their school and sports activities. He looked forward to sharing his love of the outdoors with them and teaching them to fish and hunt.

Jim will be forever remembered by his family for his unrivaled common sense, quick wit, and sense of humor.

Jim is survived by Dev, his wife of nearly 48 years, his children Nicki (Tom) Judd, Brad (Sam) Schleben, and Jenna (Matt) Salvati; and his grandchildren Savannah, Ellieanna, and Vivienne Judd; Ava and Jase Salvati; and Eloise Schleben. He is also survived by his sister Barbara (Jerry) Appold; as well as sisters-in-law Ruth (Jeff) Schroeder, Faith Mueller, and Theresa Delaplain; brothers-in-law Jonathan Mueller, Tim (Dawn) Mueller, Bill (Julie) Mueller; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Martha Schleben; his brother Mark Schleben; and his brothers-in-law Herb Mueller and Bob Mueller.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 205 E. Washington St., DeWitt, MI.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 7910 W. St. Joseph Hwy, Lansing, MI. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Our Savior Lutheran Endowment Fund in Jim’s memory.

We thank everyone for their prayers, cards, messages, and acts of kindness throughout Jim’s illness.