James M. Kotyuk

James M. Kotyuk, 65, of St. Joseph, passed away, Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth in Grand Rapids. Celebration of Life Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Fr. Thomas McNally officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph.  Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home with Liturgical Prayers recited at 7:45 P.M.  Memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue.  Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jim was born March 1, 1950 in Benton Harbor to John & Marilyn (Maier) Kotyuk.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1968 and attended Michigan State University.  On October 27, 1972, he married his sweetheart Beverly Joseph in St. Joseph.  Jim was the owner of Quality Plumbing Company of St. Joseph, which he operated from 1974 until his retirement in November of 2014.  His health prevented him from moving to his retirement home in West Yellowstone, Montana, where he looked forward to having many fun years in God’s Country.  Jim was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Berrien County Sportsman Club, and the NRA.  He volunteered at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools and in his free time enjoyed four wheeling, and snowmobiling.  He loved having sushi with family at Mikado Sushi in Grand Rapids.  In his later years he enjoyed baking Hungarian nutroll, snickerdoodles, and cannoli for family and friends.  He was a generous, kind-hearted man with a wonderful & keen sense of humor.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Jim’s last words for his friends and family were: “I’m checking out!  Toodles!!” Jim is survived by his wife Beverly; his children-Kelli Kotyuk of South Bend, IN, Kara (Jake) Kotyuk-England and Justin Kotyuk, both of Grand Rapids; two granddaughters-Amy & Arielle; his father John Kotyuk of  St. Joseph,; his brother Mark Kotyuk of St. Joseph; his father-in-law Joe “Papa Joe” (Barb) Joseph of Benton Harbor and  numerous extended family members; and special friends-Mel Gorelik of Highland Park, IL & Tom “Old Duffer”  & Mare Robbins of St. Joseph, Jane “Irma” (Mark) Wahl of Anna, OH; and his beloved dogs Simba & Peyton.  He was preceded in death by his mother Marilyn on March 17, 2002.