Obituary of James Nettleton

James S. Nettleton BENTON HARBOR — James S. Nettle­ton died at age 81 on Monday, Feb­ruary 18, 2008, under care of family and Hospice at Home Inc. He was born in Iowa in 1926 and spent his early years on a rented farm without in­door plumbing, central heat­ing, electricity or a hot water heater (except the wood-burn­ing kitchen stove). Jim was cold, cold, cold. He cherished graduating from Mason City High School, where he participated in band (bari­tone horn), Hi­Y, dramatics, football, track and wrestling. In 1944 during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was called to active duty just prior to high school commencement and baccalaureate. His training took him to Great Lakes Naval Training Center, (Chicago, IL), Naval Training School (Michigan City, IN), Bliss Electrical School (Takoma Park, MD), and Naval Train­ing School (Navy Pier, Chica­go, IL). He became a Radio technician and was on a troop transport ship in the Pacific Ocean when the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. At that time his brother was in the States following a 33 month tour of duty in the Pacific with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His sister was in Maine beginning her 26th month as a hospital dieti­tian with the U.S. Women's Army Corps. Following World War II, with the help of the G.I. Bill, Jim entered Iowa State Col­lege (Ames) and participated in band for three years. He graduated with a degree in general engineering. Two years later he received a law degree from the State Univer­sity of Iowa (Iowa City). Pat­ent law became his field of le­gal expertise. He worked as a Patent Examiner for the U.S. Government in Washington, D.C., as Chief Patent Engineer for The Maytag Co. (Newton, IA) and ultimately became Patent Counsel for Whirlpool Corporation. Prior to retire­ment from Whirlpool, he worked on international proj­ects when Whirlpool was es­tablishing relationships in Mexico, India, and China. On December 6, 1952, he married his wife Jane in Dav­enport, IA and together they joined the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Wash­ington, D.C. and Presbyterian churches in Newton, IA and Benton Harbor, MI. He was active in the Fairplain Presby­terian Church for 50 years. In recent years he sang in the church choir under the inspira­tion of Dorothy Trachte, choir director. He served the community on the Benton Township Board of Appeals and as a represen­tative from Lafayette School to the Benton Harbor Area School Study Committee on Consolidation. In the 1970s he wrote and spoke on school consolidation and desegrega­tion in our community. He served on the Benton Harbor Area School Board as well as on the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees and the Twin Cities Symphony Board of Directors. He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Iowa State Bar, a licensed pi­lot (Blossomland Flying Club) and had an Amateur Radio Operator license. He enjoyed music, photography, handy­man repair and membership in The Economic Club of SW Michigan. Survivors include his wife (of 55 years) Jane, son Doug­las (Judy) of Battle Creek, MI, daughter Carol (John) of Mid­land, MI, daughter Nancy (Jim) of Austin, TX, grand­children Eric, William, and Laura, sister Elizabeth (Dave) of Wilbraham, MA, sister-in­law Edith of Walnut Creek, CA, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents and brother. Cremation has taken place through arrangements with Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Niles, MI. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 22, at Fairplain Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be led by Pastor John Munson at Fairplain Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Febru­ary 23, followed by a luncheon in the church Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Fairplain Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (music pro­gram), 210 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022; The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, 601 Main St., St. Joseph, MI 49085; Morton House Museum, 501 Territo­rial Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022; Hospice at Home Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Jo­seph, MI 49085. Jim was a man of faith and integrity. He had a good sense of humor. He was kind and ap­preciative. He loved (and was loved by) his family. He worked hard for his family, employer and community. Deeply ingrained in him were the words please and thank you.