DALTON, Mr. James J.
Of Gobles, MI
After a short battle with cancer, Jim passed away peacefully at his home and went to Heaven on Thursday, December 11, 2008. Jim was born in Chicago, IL, December 4, 1933, the son of Winston & Walburga (Petersen) Dalton. He served his country in the Army during the Korean War, and then worked in truck sales in Illinois and Michigan before retiring from Doerr Truck Sales in 1998. Jim enjoy watching the world from the deck of his home overlooking Brandywine Lake, and was famous for his pontoon boat creations for the annual 4th of July boat parade. Among favorites were the "magical floating school bus," Noah's Ark, the pirate ship, and the famous float airplane. Jim enjoyed flying, and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1964; he fulfilled a lifetime dream when he earned his pilot's license in 1994, at the age of 60. Another joy was vacationing in the motor home with his wife Andi and favorite camping buddies, Bill & Bev Schafer, traveling around Michigan and to places like Alaska and Newfoundland. Every other summer, Jim and his family would join the Boyer and Blink families, a special group of friends, for a fly-in fishing trip to Canada. On his trips Jim would take in everything, and soon became affectionately known as the "merry wanderer", he would often be found enjoying the company of perfect strangers or taking pictures of nature, or family and friends. On October 7, 1967, Jim married Andrea (Schlabowske) Dalton, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Susan Dalton-Akers and son-in-law, Tony Akers; two grandchildren, Alex James and Carly Rae Akers and his favorite pet pal, Symba; a brother, Richard (Janet) Dalton of Columbia City, IN; his sister, Dorothy Dalton, FL; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Thomas. Per his wishes cremation has taken place, and in the place of funeral home services, family and friends will celebrate Jim's life and recognize his passing in prayer at a memorial service at St. Jude Parish in Gobles on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 1:30 o'clock PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions made in his memory to Wing's of Hope Hospice in Allegan, (530 Linn St., Allegan, MI 49010), or to the Gobles Public Schools Foundation, (409 N. State St., Gobles, MI, 49055).
JOLDERSMA & KLEIN
917 S. Burdick St.
343-2628
Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 12/14/2008 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)