James Regis Konopka, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on All Souls’ Day, November 2, 2023.
Born September 19, 1948, Jim was the middle child of Edward and Eileen Konopka’s seven sons, and grew up in North Versailles, PA.
Prior to retiring in 2011, Jim worked for 42 years as an inspector for Curtiss-Wright. He was a founding member of the No Mercy Golf League, and hit a hole in one on August 19, 1983 at Irwin Country Club.
Jim was a loving family man to his wife of 49 years, Marie (Doblick). Together they raised four children: Matthew, Rachel, Leah, and David. Nothing made Jim happier than watching his family grow as his children married and he welcomed Steve Siegel, Seth Hartmann, Jess Graeve, and Vanessa Kroeger as his sons and daughters in law. His pride and joy were his eight grandchildren - Claire, Rosalie, Jovie, Eliza, Ramie, Joy, Summit, and Poppy - all of whom affectionately refer to him as “Pops.” He proudly authored books for his grandkids and gave them handmade ornaments each Christmas.
Jim is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, his brothers Ed (Shirley), Dennis (Carolyn), Tom (Ruth), and Kenny (Janet), his siblings-in-law Patty Konopka, Curt Brooks, Joe and Angela Doblick, and Duke and Bev Doblick, and a slew of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Daniel and Keith, Marie’s parents Mag and Sam Doblick, and his sister-in-law Lou Ann Brooks.
Family and friends will greatly miss Pops’s unique sense of humor, his delicious Konopkorn, his ability to find song lyrics to fit any occasion, and his fervent and unwavering love of Christmas. He obsessively loved planning the next get-together or celebration (and its gluten-free menu).
The Konopka family is forever indebted to the staff of the intensive care unit at UH Lake West hospital for their compassionate care.
A true celebration of Jim will take place at Behm Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio on Monday, November 6 from 12-2 pm and 5-7 pm. Please wear your favorite festive Christmas attire to the viewing; Jim would want you to be Christmas comfortable. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyprian Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road, Perry, Ohio on Tuesday, November 7 at 11 am. Burial immediately following at Perry Cemetery, 3840 Middle Ridge Road.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family encourages everyone to remember Jim by singing a carol in his honor this Christmas or lighting a sparkler for him on the Fourth of July.
Sending all my love and prayers to the Konopka Family as they celebrate the life of Jim /Pops. What an amazing life he lived.
Dear Marie and family,
There is a peace and a joy in realizing how blessed we are with the love and memories we have of your extraordinary husband and father and our friend, Jim. The sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of immortality that our Faith provides us.
Jim was remembered in my Mass today and in the days to come. My sadness is that I cannot be physically with you in these days. You have my thoughts and prayers.
Father Len