James Oien

James was born on Dec. 17, 1934, in Iron Mountain, one of seven children to the late Earl and Helen (Behrens) Oien. He married Rose Carlson on Aug. 5, 1972.

James was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran serving during the Korean War. He was post commander of the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain and of the Kingsford Post. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He worked for many years at Nelson Paint Co. until he accepted a position at W. B. Thompson, where he worked until his retirement. He was an active member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Kingsford. After retirement he enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.

James was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rose Oien, on April 19, 2016.

He is survived by their children, Pamela (William) Revord of Iron Mountain, Cynthia Vivio (Tony Campbell) of Kingsford, Laura (Larry) Rice of Kingsford, Shawn (Constance) Duffy of Grosse Point Shores, Mich., and Patrick Duffy of Whitmore Lake, Mich.; 14 grandchildren, Holly DeGroot, Dani Revord, Gabrielle (Eric) Chapman DeMarinis, Heather (Peter) Burby, David (Erika) Vivio, Lewis (Angie) Rice, Lee Rice, Lauren Rice (Alex Arcaro), Joshua, Ryan, Colin and Jacob Duffy, Nicole (Jeff) Robson and Mariah Duffy; eight great-grandchildren, Riley DeGroot, Lennon Burby, Ethan, Owen and Norah Vivio, and Landen, Brayden and Brooklyn Robson. He is also survived by his siblings, Bette White, Thomas (Cindy) Oien; sisters-in-law Wendy and Kim Oien; brothers-in-law Edward Nichols, John (Nancy) Carlson; sister-in-law Ruth Ann Helgren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Edwin, Richard, John, and Gerald Oien; a sister-in-law, Carol Nichols; and three brothers-in-law, Ronald and Donald Carlson; and Warren White.

Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain, with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Father Mike Woempner will officiate, and burial will be in the spring at the Quinnesec Cemetery.

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

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