Obituary for James V. Lavelline
James Vincent Lavelline Jr. (Deacon Jim), 82, of Coldwater, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at the Cleveland Clinic.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Coldwater with Rev. Fr. Dan Hyman officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bronson. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 3-7:00PM, with a scripture service to begin at 7:00 PM, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Jim was born to James and Mary (Sansky) on August 6, 1940 in the northeastern Pennsylvania town of Dunmore; there, he attended and graduated from Dunmore High School. Jim graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgy. Most of his career was spent in the study of, application, and production of copper and brass.
Faith and family were the cornerstone of Jim’s life. He was a lifelong faithful Catholic. He was introduced to Bernadine (Bonnie) Hrehowsik, his beloved and courageous wife of 56 years, on a blind date arranged by his cousin. They were married in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on January 2, 1965, after which they settled in Waterbury, CT. They had their only son Joseph (Joe) in 1969. The family moved to Coldwater, MI in 1973, where Jim and Bonnie resided for the remainder of their lives.
After college Jim worked as a physical metallurgist at a copper refinery in Carteret, New Jersey and then as a research metallurgist in Waterbury, CT.
Jim’s knowledge of the production and application of brass helped to secure the position of plant metallurgist, during the preproduction stage of the United Technologies (then Essex Wire) Brass Mill in Quincy, MI.
After his promotion to plant manager, Jim guided the facility through two major recessions. A highlight of his career in this position was earning the United Technologies President’s Award for extraordinary management effectiveness.
Jim completed his career in various technical, supervisory, and management roles at an electronics plant in Auburn, IN and Univertical Corp in Angola, IN.
In his career, Jim experienced the highs of new opportunities and promotions, as well as the lows of layoff and plant closings. He approached these opportunities and challenges with drive, patience, and perseverance.
After retirement and several years of preparatory studies, Jim was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. He served at St. Charles Borromeo in Coldwater, St. Mary of the Assumption in Bronson, and in their associated mission parishes. His principal ministries were visiting the sick at all the Coldwater nursing homes and assisted living facilities and prison ministry at the Lakeland and Florence Crane Correctional facilities. He believed that his accomplishments as a deacon far out-weighed anything in his working career.
Jim was devoted to his wife Bonnie and son Joe. He cared for Bonnie through many medical issues later in her life; ensuring that she would get the best medical care available. He pursued renovations to their home to give Bonnie the best possible quality of life given some of her physical limitations. He assisted in home health aide duties for Bonnie during her end-of-life illness.
Jim enjoyed vegetable gardening, helping Bonnie with her flower garden, going to car races with Joe, as well as researching and discussing history and current events.
His parents and wife Bonnie preceded him in their earthly journeys. Jim is survived by his son Joseph, brother Michael (Jacki Prior) and sister Mary (Jerry).
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Charles or St Mary Schools, or the Branch Area Food Pantry.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Coldwater with Rev. Fr. Dan Hyman officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bronson. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 3-7:00PM, with a scripture service to begin at 7:00 PM, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Jim was born to James and Mary (Sansky) on August 6, 1940 in the northeastern Pennsylvania town of Dunmore; there, he attended and graduated from Dunmore High School. Jim graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgy. Most of his career was spent in the study of, application, and production of copper and brass.
Faith and family were the cornerstone of Jim’s life. He was a lifelong faithful Catholic. He was introduced to Bernadine (Bonnie) Hrehowsik, his beloved and courageous wife of 56 years, on a blind date arranged by his cousin. They were married in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on January 2, 1965, after which they settled in Waterbury, CT. They had their only son Joseph (Joe) in 1969. The family moved to Coldwater, MI in 1973, where Jim and Bonnie resided for the remainder of their lives.
After college Jim worked as a physical metallurgist at a copper refinery in Carteret, New Jersey and then as a research metallurgist in Waterbury, CT.
Jim’s knowledge of the production and application of brass helped to secure the position of plant metallurgist, during the preproduction stage of the United Technologies (then Essex Wire) Brass Mill in Quincy, MI.
After his promotion to plant manager, Jim guided the facility through two major recessions. A highlight of his career in this position was earning the United Technologies President’s Award for extraordinary management effectiveness.
Jim completed his career in various technical, supervisory, and management roles at an electronics plant in Auburn, IN and Univertical Corp in Angola, IN.
In his career, Jim experienced the highs of new opportunities and promotions, as well as the lows of layoff and plant closings. He approached these opportunities and challenges with drive, patience, and perseverance.
After retirement and several years of preparatory studies, Jim was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. He served at St. Charles Borromeo in Coldwater, St. Mary of the Assumption in Bronson, and in their associated mission parishes. His principal ministries were visiting the sick at all the Coldwater nursing homes and assisted living facilities and prison ministry at the Lakeland and Florence Crane Correctional facilities. He believed that his accomplishments as a deacon far out-weighed anything in his working career.
Jim was devoted to his wife Bonnie and son Joe. He cared for Bonnie through many medical issues later in her life; ensuring that she would get the best medical care available. He pursued renovations to their home to give Bonnie the best possible quality of life given some of her physical limitations. He assisted in home health aide duties for Bonnie during her end-of-life illness.
Jim enjoyed vegetable gardening, helping Bonnie with her flower garden, going to car races with Joe, as well as researching and discussing history and current events.
His parents and wife Bonnie preceded him in their earthly journeys. Jim is survived by his son Joseph, brother Michael (Jacki Prior) and sister Mary (Jerry).
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Charles or St Mary Schools, or the Branch Area Food Pantry.