James C. McMichael

James C. McMichael                                    “faithful servant of the Lord”

OLEAN, NY---James C. “Jim” McMichael, 86, of Olean, passed away unexpectedly with his loving family by his side on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean.

Born on Thursday, October 5, 1939 in Tamaqua, PA, he was a son of Paul and Effie Jones McMichael. On August 2, 1959 in Valois, NY, he married Clara M. Williammee, who passed away on October 15, 2025.

Jim honorably served in the US Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. Jim would say “I served for the love of my country”. After serving his country, Jim was employed making dynamite at Atlas Chemical and later transferred to a plant making Glycerin. He also enjoyed driving tractor trailer and driving a city bus in Auburn, NY, where he also was a driving instructor. His favorite job was driving milk trucks picking up at the local farms where he would visit with the farmers.

A very faithful person, Jim was a longtime member of the Ceres United Methodist Church in Ceres. One of his favorite pastimes was mowing his lawn and his neighbor’s lawns. He also enjoyed “keeping an eye on the neighbors and those driving up and down the road. He also enjoyed watching the deer in the neighborhood and enjoyed visiting Allegany State Park. Jim loved his family and enjoyed picking on them and playing jokes on them...they in turn returned the favor. He loved trying to put a smile on people’s faces in the stores.

Left to cherish his memory are five children, Linda L. Hamill, Bonnie S. (Michael Bost, Jim (Vikki) McMichael, Andrew (Amber) McMichael, and Ronald (Jen) McMichael. He leaves behind over 60 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandsons; a great-great-granddaughter due in April; a great-great-grandchild due in July; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Jim was predeceased by a sister, Ruth Long; and a brother John Paul McMichael.

Family and friends are invited to gather from 10am to 11am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in the Ceres United Methodist Church, Ceres, where a celebration of life will follow at 11am with the Rev. Becky Edwards, pastor of the Reynoldsville First Methodist Church, Reynoldsville, PA, officiating. Burial will be in Trumansburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name may be made to Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org or to the Kevin’s Guest House at www.kevinguesthouse.com

Jim’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Jim, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.