James Cronkhite

James Ivan Cronkhite of Otsego MI, age 88, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, July 31, 2017. A life is lived between the dashes. Born February 1, 1929 in a house in Allegan, James Ivan Cronkhite lived a good life. He was a soft spoken man who saw the value of his family as his purpose in life. Married in 1950 to Joyce Elaine Merchant, the couple lost their first born child to stillbirth. They went on to have four more children. James modeled for his children a good work ethic. When times were hard he held down several jobs at one time. He retired from Rock-Tenn in Otsego after forty-six years in the paper industry. When called to duty, he served in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Along with being a car enthusiast and avid bowler, Jim loved horses and collecting memorabilia. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a member of Allegan Wesleyan Church and was baptized as a sign of his faith. He will be truly missed but left a legacy of love through the people who knew him. He was preceded in death by his father Ivan Cronkhite, mother Elsie (Morris) Cronkhite (Berry), infant daughter and sister Donna Walters. Surviving are his wife of sixty-seven years, Joyce E. (Merchant) Cronkhite, brother Eugene Cronkhite of Otsego, son James I. Cronkhite Jr. (Jean) of Otsego, daughter Patricia Weiss (Ken) of Ft. Wayne, IN, daughter Denise Atwood (Robert Dejong) of Otsego, son Kenneth Cronkhite of Otsego, twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and two of his beloved cats Andy and Suzie. At Jame's request their has been a cremation and no public service will take place. The family would wish that any donations or acts of love be expressed with contributions to Hospice Wings of Hope, Allegan, MI in James name.