Obituary for JAMES WILLIAM VALLIER
James William ‘Jim’ Vallier, 84, of Midway Drive, Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday morning, February 12, 2019 in the care of his loving family and UP Home Health and Hospice.
Jim was born September 16, 1934 in Perkins to Emil and Alice (Larson) Vietzke and graduated from Perkins High School, Class of 1953, where he was a standout basketball player. He married Ruth Norden on December 27, 1954 and together they raised two sons.
While living in Perkins, Jim was employed at the local cheese factory before moving to Negaunee in 1959. A ‘jack-of-all-trades,’ Jim could fix anything, and he worked as a mechanic, logger, and as a construction worker helping to build the Mackinac Bridge. He eventually retired as a foreman from Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company.
Mr. Vallier was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee. Along with tinkering in the garage, he enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid whitetail hunter. Jim was also an avid bowler, and played softball in his younger years.
Surviving are his loving wife, Ruth (Norden) Vallier; two sons: David (Linda) Vallier of Ishpeming and Russel Vallier of Sands Township; four grandchildren: Jenn (Cas Ksiazek), Emily, Jonathan and Paula Vallier; his brother, Gerald (Maxine) Vallier of Gladstone; and sister, Joan Johnson of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, Joseph Vallier.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday, February 21st at Koskey Funeral Home with Michael Holman officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00 pm until the time of services at 2:30 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Jim’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, Negaunee, UP Home Health and Hospice or the Negaunee Senior Center.
Mr. Vallier’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.
Jim was born September 16, 1934 in Perkins to Emil and Alice (Larson) Vietzke and graduated from Perkins High School, Class of 1953, where he was a standout basketball player. He married Ruth Norden on December 27, 1954 and together they raised two sons.
While living in Perkins, Jim was employed at the local cheese factory before moving to Negaunee in 1959. A ‘jack-of-all-trades,’ Jim could fix anything, and he worked as a mechanic, logger, and as a construction worker helping to build the Mackinac Bridge. He eventually retired as a foreman from Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company.
Mr. Vallier was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee. Along with tinkering in the garage, he enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid whitetail hunter. Jim was also an avid bowler, and played softball in his younger years.
Surviving are his loving wife, Ruth (Norden) Vallier; two sons: David (Linda) Vallier of Ishpeming and Russel Vallier of Sands Township; four grandchildren: Jenn (Cas Ksiazek), Emily, Jonathan and Paula Vallier; his brother, Gerald (Maxine) Vallier of Gladstone; and sister, Joan Johnson of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, Joseph Vallier.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday, February 21st at Koskey Funeral Home with Michael Holman officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00 pm until the time of services at 2:30 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Jim’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, Negaunee, UP Home Health and Hospice or the Negaunee Senior Center.
Mr. Vallier’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.