James Craig Stires

James C. “Craig” Stires, 70, of Port Clinton passed away Friday, January 10, 2025 at Magruder Hospital, Port Clinton, OH. He was born January 14, 1954 in Columbus, OH the son of Charles J. “Jim” and Barbara (Hamilton) Stires. He married Jody Bergman on September 25, 1976 and she survives. He graduated from Danbury High School and EHOVE in 1973. Craig was a “Jack of All Trades”. He worked at the family-owned business, Winnies Boat Basin in his teenage years. He worked at many businesses from there on: Marblehead Quarry, Drywall Co., Klaus Cadillac, Kasper Buick, Thayer Ford, Manufacturing Company and he owned and operated North Coast Auto Body. He then went on to work for Sheet Metal Association Local #33 and traveled many states. He later in life worked for Boat US in Port Clinton until they closed. In 2006 he entered into his final job with his wife at Bergman Greenhouses & Market in Port Clinton.

He loved to restore cars and boats. He owned over 130 of them. He enjoyed spending time on Lake Erie with family and friends, camping and motorcycles. He had a strong spirit for the American Eagle.

Surviving are his wife: Jody; sons: Craig R. “Ryan” (Vanessa) Stires of Tampa, FL, John T. Stires of Port Clinton; sister: Deborah (Ed) Flynn of Glenwood Springs, CO; ½ sisters: Marsha (Bob) Lillie of Fern Park, FL, Terri (Andy) Humes of Croton, OH, Linda Stires of Whitehall, Dawn (Matt) Karshner of Whitehall, OH; mother-in-law: Donna C. Bergman of Port Clinton; sister-in-law: Gail Bergman of Hudson, OH; brothers-in-law: Barry (Sue) Bergman of Marblehead, OH, Dan (Patty) Bergman of Port Clinton. He was preceded in death by his infant son: Craig Brandon Stires; father and step-mother: Charles “Jim” and Mary Stires; mother and step-father: Barbara and Arnold W. Smith and his father-in-law: John N. Bergman.

A Celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Back to the Wild, 4504 Bardshar Rd. Castalia, OH 44824 or to the family c/o Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton St. Port Clinton, OH 43452. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com . Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.