Beloved brother, father, and grandfather passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, after a brief illness. Age 67 years. He was the son of the late William and Joan (Harp) Stoeckel. Jim was born August 12, 1958, in Elmhurst, Illinois. He married Cathy Fox in Saginaw, Michigan in 1985. Jim served in the United States Air Force as a Sargent. After leaving the military, Jim worked various jobs in Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City, Michigan. Jim moved to Melbourne, Florida in 2018 and retired in 2020. He enjoyed family and always took advantage of a chuckle and an opportunity to relax.

Jim was a devoted father to his two children Ashley Swartzendruber and to William Stoeckel (Becky) Stoeckel of Traverse City. Ashley predeceased him December 12, 2020. Jim is also survived by three grandchildren, Florence Stoeckel, Ezra Stoeckel, Leo Stoeckel; two brothers, William (Laura) Stoeckel of Melbourne, Florida, and Robert (Lori) Stoeckel of Gilbert, Arizona; and three sisters, Karen (Jeff) Young of Interlochen, Michigan, Diane (Scott) Peterson of Williamsburg, Michigan, and Dawn (Doug) Kaiser of Gaylord, Michigan.

Cremation has taken place; celebrations of life will be held in Melbourne, Florida and Traverse City, Michigan.