James A. Trumbley

James “Jim” Alfred Trumbley, 60, of St. Joseph, MI, passed from this life, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2005, at Marquette General Hospital, Marquette, MI. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Jim was on a deer hunting trip with two of his sons, a grandson, and four long-time friends when health related issues caused him to be hospitalized. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15, 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, MI, with Ms. Thomas A. Martin officiating. Cremation has taken place per his wishes. Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph, MI. A prayer service will be at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family or to the donor’s choice. Jim has been cremated. Jim was born May 13, 1945, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. to Earl and Evelyn (Desrochers) Trumbley. On April 24, 1965, he married Jilda (Jill) Toler and they made their home in St. Joseph, MI. for the past 39 years where they raised their daughter and three sons. Jim was a US Merchant Marine and sailed the Great Lakes for US Steel on the William A. McGonagle and the Gov. Miller. Jim was one of 25 recruited from the UP to work at BH Malleable. He eventually moved over to BH Engineering where he worked for 18 yrs, the last 12 as a General Foreman. Jim went on to work for FP Rosback for 15 yrs until a stroke in Oct. of 1998 which ended his working life. Through the years Jim managed and coached baseball teams that his sons played for. He loved to be involved with boys of all ages. Jim was an avid sportsman and taught his love for fishing, be it lake, ice, and spear, and also hunting small game and birds. He loved to hunt deer with a gun, a bow and a muzzle loader. Jim taught his love for the outdoors to his boys, and his daughter learned some too. Jim and his boat were called “JT” by his many fishing buddies. Jim was affectionately called “Big Jim” by many of his sons’ friends. He was like a Dad to many and he offered free advice to his daughter’s girlfriends. Jim loved to hang out with them all. Jim was a die hard Lions fan all of his life and loved country music with Hank Williams and George Jones at the top of the list. Jim loved to plant a garden and loved to decorate the yard with colorful flowers especially red, his favorite color. Jim and Jill celebrated 40 years of marriage in April of this year. He is survived by his wife, Jill, and his children, Scott (Janet), Carrie (Terry) Green, James II known as “Jimmer” (Jessica), and Todd. Jim has 6 grandchildren, Katie, Megan, Jacob, Sara and Cooper Trumbley and Jessica Green, all of St. Joseph. Jim is also survived by his siblings, Betty Peller, Tom (Bev) Trumbley, Nora (Ken) Izzard and Mary (Gary) Herschell. His niece and nephews, Kim Healey, Mike Peller, Tammy (Tom) Gibbons, Paul Trumbley, Theresa (Andy) VerHoef, Kelly (Steve) Ashbay, Nicole and Gary Jr. Herschell. Two great-nieces Hannah VerHoef and Alexis Ashbay and one great nephew Tyler Gibbons. His father preceded him in death on Jan 4, 2003, and his Mother on Aug. 17, 2003. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, his sisters and brother and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins and his many special long-time friends. He was truly blessed.