Mr. James Dunn, age 69, of Ensley Center, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011. He was born and lived with his parents, Russell and Anna on their dairy farm (on Courtland between 12 and 13 Mile Road) where they raised crops. He enlisted in the US Navy, serving for eight years. Susan and Jim met in high school where they were high school sweethearts; Jim was the only person that Susan ever dated. After coming home on leave, they were married on June 13, 1964 at Mary Queen of the Apostles. She became a Navy wife, and after the Navy, they purchased their farm in 1969 with Jim being released from the Navy in February of 1970. For 13 years he worked at American Seating and for 21 years he worked for Steelcase as a boiler operator; all that time he was also farming. During those years, Susan and the children were his helpers. After Jim’s retirement, he farmed full time. Jim enjoyed planting, watching the crops grow, harvesting, and planning for the next year. He was known to help anyone out at any time. In his community he was well-respected for his farming knowledge. Jim was devoted to his Catholic faith, and that heritage has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Jim enjoyed going to the tractor and steam engine events, and also the flea market if it was there. He repaired his own equipment and helped others with their equipment. Jim took care of the crops while Sue took care of the hogs.  Jim was a listener and a talker. For over 35 years he pitched a tent and hunted on Drummond Island and was the stove keeper, breakfast maker (pancakes), and dishwasher. Jim is survived by his loving wife Susan who felt that they had a wonderful marriage and that Jim was a wonderful man; his children, Pamela and Del Thebo, Mark and Rhonda Dunn; grandchildren, Stephen Thebo, Jonathan Thebo, Andrew Dunn, Christopher Dunn, Joshua Dunn; brother and sisters, Carl and Gail Dunn, Pat LaMorre, Charlene and Gerald Hawley, Lucille and Donald Empie, Barbara and Bruce Cooper, Judith and Gil Empie; step-mother, Mrs. Lucille Dunn; mother-in-law, Mrs. Ardith Karasinski and her family; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jennifer Thebo, and his parents, Russell and Anna Dunn. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Dunn was offered on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of the Apostles, Sand Lake, with Rev. Joseph W. Kenshol presiding. Military honors were offered under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard with interment in St. Mary Cemetery. The Rosary was prayed at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 8:15 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Association, 2944 Fuller, Ave., NE, Ste. 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 or the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Relatives and friends met with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Arrangements by the Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com