James R. Carefelle Sr.

James was born Oct. 30, 1921, in Gulliver, son of the late Joseph and Nan (Wahlfors) Carefelle. He was a graduate of Manistique High School and following his graduation joined the United States Army.

Jim served during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged as a technician third grade from the 3127th Signal Service Company in 1946.

Jim married Marion Shirk on Oct. 27, 1951, in Sault Ste. Marie. The couple moved to this area to raise their family in 1958. Jim spent his entire working career with the Iron Workers Union Local 8 and retired in 1986. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Iron Workers Local 8. Jim was also a dedicated 20-year volunteer at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center.

Jim is survived by his children, Jo Ann Richer of Iron Mountain, Terri (Joaquin) Brown of Austin, Texas, and James Jr. (Terri) Carefelle of Bonney Lake, Wash.; grandchildren, Jesse (Kelly) Richer, Curt Richer, Melissa Richer, Nick Carefelle, Candice Carefelle, Katie (Charlie) Hooder, J.R. Carefelle III and Beau (Kenidy) Carefelle; five great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Sadie O’Neil; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, on April 30, 2008, and by three sisters.

Visitation will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain.

Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Rev. Geri Hamlen will officiate.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the VA hospital for the professionalism and compassionate care given to our dad over the years.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of James Carefelle online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.