James Laru

O

bituaries

James R. Laru, age 87, of Owen, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at the Clark County Rehab and Living Center in Owen under the tender care of Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care.

A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Mountain View Cemetery in South Range, Mich. Pastor Don Bruce presided. A visitation was held from noon until the time of service Wednesday at the funeral home. Full military rites was conducted by Colby VFW Post #2227.

Jim was born on September 8, 1935, the son of Andrew A. and Fannie S. (Niemi) Laru in Painesdale, Mich. He was a 1953 graduate from Jeffers High School in Painesdale, Mich. Jim was a miner for Copper Range in Painesdale, Mich., before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1956 and he was honorably discharged in 1958 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was united in marriage to the former Sharon Steffes on July 30, 1960, in Cudahy. Jim then worked for Wisconsin Power Company in Milwaukee before moving back to Painesdale to mine. They later moved to Toivola, Mich., where they bought a grocery store and ran it until 1988, when they moved to Owen. Jim then went to work for Land O’Lakes in Spencer until he retired in 1999.

Jim was a member of the South Range Eagles Club and the Toivola Volunteer Fire Department. He was proud that he designed and built two homes; one in Torch Lake, Mich., and the other in Owen. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, watching sports especially the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. He liked spending time at the lake and getting together with family and friends, most importantly spending time with the grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon of Owen; children: Wanda (David) Sommer of Owen, Jacquiline (Gary) Guisfredi of Lake Linden, Mich., Jim Laru Jr. of Owen and Carol Laru of Marshfield; grandchildren: Corey Sommer, Aaron Sommer, Crystal Marten, Jessica Bessner, Ricky James, Angela Van Wagner, Jim Laru III, Derek Laru, Damon Laru and Brenna Laru. He is further survived by a sister, Joyce Swan; sister-in-law, Marilyn Laru; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Laru and brother-in-law, Bill Swan.

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