James Carlton MacKeller, of Kalkaska, passed away at his home on Wed evening, Oct 20, 2010, after a valiant battle with lung cancer. As he wished, he was surrounded by his loving family.
James was born on Jun 4, 1930 in Belding, MI. He was stationed in Kobe, Japan during the Korean War while serving in the US Army. It was during this time he and his twin brother, John, met Yoshiko. Known as Cathy, she fell in love with the shy twin, Jim.
There they married and had their first son, Leo.
After serving his country Jim returned to Kalkaska and his family where they built their home. Over the next few years they added to their home and their family. Jim worked in the oilfield for many years and retired from the 1098 Laborers' Union. After he retired, Jim enjoyed fishing, gardening, and traveling with his family. He took great pride in spending time with his family and handcrafting gifts for them.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mildred; his brothers, Wendel and William; and his sister, Suzanne. He is survived by his twin brother John of Grand Haven, MI; brother Wayne of North Carolina; his wife, Cathy; their children, Leo MacKeller (Tami), Suzanne Adler (Gary), Edmund MacKeller (Dawn), Cindy Nelson; six grandchildren, Eileen, Heather, Shawn, Aaron, Renee, and Nathan; and four great grandchildren, Victoria, Kira, Braedyn and Adam.
Visitation will be Fri evening, Oct 29, from 5 to 8 pm with funeral services to be held Sat at 11 am at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska.
