James Robert Millis, age 93, a lifetime resident of Lapeer, died Sunday, July 21, 2024. Jim was surrounded by his family.
Jim was born March 25, 1931, in Columbiaville, Michigan to Elmore Pearly and Eulila “Hazel” (Gerard) Millis. He graduated from Lapeer High School, class of 1949. Jim enlisted in the US Army and served his country proudly during the Korean War. He married Mary Joanne Halpin on February 19, 1955, in Lapeer. Jim went on to work for Consumers Power retiring in 1995 after a 30-year career. In his spare time Jim loved to attend his kids and grandkids sporting events. He loved to keep a garden and was an avid deer hunter. Come November 15th (for 60+ years) you would find Jim at deer camp in Kenton, Michigan. Jim will forever be remembered as a very hardworking man and a devoted family man.
Jim is survived by his children: Mark Millis of Grand Rapids, Tim (Kelly) Millis of Auburn Hills, Dan Millis of Lapeer, Cheri (John) Spidle of Lapeer, Lisa (Ed) Brown of Lapeer, Shelley (Tom) Trisch of Ada, Craig (Becky) Millis of Davison and Colleen (Michael) Ritter of Plymouth; grandchildren: Jenny (Tim), Jessica (Mark), Lindsay (Kyle), Caroline (Dave), Erin (Zack), Noelle (Jose), Rachel, Shannon, Tim, Lauren, Haley, Grant, Mariah, Eric, Sean, Brian, Jason, Jack, Emily, Kylee, Meghan, Lauren, Erika, Connor, and Nolan; great grandchildren: Alex, Ava, Addie, Taylor, Ethan, Austin and Amelia; brother, Leroy Millis of Holly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Jo Millis, brother, Frank Millis and his aforementioned parents.
Visitation will be held from 4-8PM Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00PM Tuesday evening. Jim’s funeral Mass will be 1:00PM Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Davison, Father Andrew A. Czajkowski, celebrant. Jim’s family will receive friends from 12PM-1PM at church on Wednesday. Jim will be buried next to his beloved Mary Jo at Mt. Loretto Cemetery in Lapeer. He will receive military honors under the auspices of American Legion Post #16 Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or Special Olympics Michigan Area 13. Condolences and memories may be left at www.MuirBrothersLapeer.com.
It seems fitting to sign off in Jim’s own words, “We didn’t have much money, but we sure had a lot of fun.”