James J. White
Negaunee Township
James Joseph ‘White-O’ White, 63, of Maple Ridge Road, Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones and under the care of Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice Wednesday afternoon, October 22, 2014.
Jim was born July 27, 1951 in Ishpeming to Clarence J. ‘Cubby’ and Bernice M. (Coron) White, attended St. Paul Catholic School and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1969. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Northern Michigan University in 1973. Jim married Nancy Salmi on May 8, 1976.
Jim was an extremely dedicated employee. His employment began at Sandy’s Restaurant in Marquette while he attended high school and college. Following graduation from NMU, he worked for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in their lab. He then worked for the Salmi family business, East Kingsford Iron and Metal Company. Jim was most recently employed at the Marquette Branch Prison and was awarded “Officer of the Year” in 2007. He retired in 2009 due to illness after 25 years of service.
Jim was a devout lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee where he often helped with serving at funeral luncheons. He was also a member of the Negaunee VFW Men’s Auxiliary. Jim was a proud supporter of the Special Olympics and was an avid sportsfan, cheering for the Negaunee Miners, Detroit Tigers and Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed pontoon rides on the Dead River Basin with family and special friends Mac and Jo, riding his 4-wheeler, playing cribbage at the Negaunee Senior Center, scorekeeping at the NIT Basketball Tournament, pitching horseshoes and playing slow-pitch softball for Ed’s Iron Inn in his younger years. Jim also enjoyed vacationing in sunny Florida with family.
Surviving are his loving wife of 38 years, Nancy L. (Salmi) White; 2 sons: Adam and Tony, who he loved so much and was very proud; his father, Clarence ‘Cubby’; 3 sisters: Joan (John) Sunne of Troy, Mary Evans (Phil DeGabriele) of Negaunee and Rita (Bruce) Weaver of Royal Oak; 2 brothers-in-law: Mickey (Jody) and Bruce (Rose) Salmi; a sister-in-law, Roxie (Mark) Willey; nieces and nephews: Charlie Sunne, Angela (Sunne) Strickland, Lisa (Evans) Plaxco, Andy Evans, Shawn and Lee Collick, Julianna Weaver, Jason, Heather and Hannah Salmi, Brock and Jared Rogers, Tracy (Rogers) Krook, Jenn (Salmi) Ray, and Doug and Jacque Salmi; and many great-nieces and great-nephews that Jim considered “GREAT!” He was preceded in death by his mother in 1986; father-in-law Paul Salmi and mother-in-law Marguerite Salmi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:00 pm on Monday, October 27, 2014 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee with Monsignor Peter Oberto officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:30 – 4:45 pm at the church on Monday, and also at a dinner reception in the St. Paul School Gymnasium immediately following the Mass. Burial will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Jim had a passion for living. Family and friends were always first. For 15 years he endured the struggles of cancer, but never uttered a complaint. Cancer may have taken his earthly life, but being a man of strong faith, Jim was ready to embrace his eternal life.
The family would like to give special thanks to Monsignor Peter Oberto, Rev. Greg Heikkila, Rev. Dan Moll, the Bishop Baraga Association, Dr. Carlson, Dr. Acharya and Steve Guildoni, PA and their wonderful staff, and U.P. Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care.
Jim’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be expressed.

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