TFM Links

Home

Obituaries

Memorials

Locator

You Should Know

Our Goals

Contact Us

James H. Dearth Click for Condolences      Printable Version 1935 - 2011 Age: 76 DEARTH, James H. Mattawan Jim passed away suddenly Friday evening, March 11, 2011 at his home. He was born January 3, 1935 in Detroit, MI the son of the late John and Flora (Janke) Dearth. Jim served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1962 on the Nautilus Submarine. He then worked for Consumers Power Company (Nuclear Power Division) at Charlevoix from 1962 to 1968 and the Palisades Plant form 1968 until his retirement in 1991. Jim enjoyed word puzzles, traveling, socializing with friends and most of all loved being with his family. On January 19, 1957 in Santa Barbara, CA, Jim was united in marriage to Elizabeth Betsy A. Platz who survives. Also surviving are 5 children, Susan (Mark) Leppert of British Columbia, Canada, Glenn (Lisa) Dearth of MA, Leslie (Chris) Philipp of Portage, MI, Karen (Brad) Mingle of Washington and Neal (Lisa) Dearth of TN; 14 grandchildren, Jackie (Jeff Stoops) Philipp, Leonard Mingle, Jessica Mingle, Alex Philipp, Daniel Wanchuk, Sarah, Erik, and Joel Wanchuk, Stephen, Kaitlyn, Jordan and Grace Dearth, Justin (Samantha) Valence and Ashley (Kris) Bostic; 2 great grandchildren, Haley and Cameron Valence; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 5 siblings, Dorothy Schultz, Richard Dearth, Marjorie Caswell, Carol Jordan and Lawrence Dearth. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19th, 5:00 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Memorial contributions may be made to Loaves and Fishes or the Gospel Mission in Kalamazoo.

Please feel free to post a message of condolence.
Name
E-mail
Display Email Address with condolence? Yes    No TimeForMemory.com does not sell or supply email addresses to any outside parties. However, unscrupulous businesses will scan the internet for email addresses to add to their spam mailling list. Therefore, including your email may enhance your chance of being spammed.
Message
AntiSpam Form Filter: Please type the characters you see
Messages will be reviewed prior to display. Please allow 24 business hours for review.

There are currently 18 condolences.

Brad Mingle Tuesday March 22, 2011 at 12:12 AM

I first met Jim around 30 years ago when I was a young Soldier in Germany. I looked at him then back to his daughter and then back at him. My first thought was how could a girl so little come from a guy so big? I always enjoyed talking with him and even visiting him over the years. We had many heart felt discussions and they were usually concerning someones wild behavior. I'd like st say those wild behaviors were his but that would be a lie. He was always interested in my Military career and always asked about it and what I was doing.He was proud of his service in the Navy and I was glad i was able to attend the decommissioning ceremony of the USS Nautilus with him. I know he always pushed one of his kids to graduate college as he mentioned it to me many times. He also went out of his way to encourage me to complete college and was very happy when I did. Jim was certainly the "king" of stupid jokes. He had a thousand of them and told one every time we talked on the phone. I have to admit that some of them really were funny. He really enjoyed dinning out and had his set routine of people he visited in the local area and could tell you about everyone in the place while enroute. I know he loved his grand children as he talked about them often. You always knew what everyone in the family was doing as Jim and Betsy kept tabs on all. I don't recall ever meeting a family who liked to travel as much as the Dearths. I remember the time he decided to empty his storage shed in Michigan. He loaded most of it up in a trailer and dropped it off at my house in Alabama. One item was a motorcycle! I rode that thing until it died. When it came to electronics I swear he thought he could fix anything. He use to put his glasses on, dig out his tool kit and go to work. Over the years he's dug in to our VCR's, TV's and computers but fixed them all. I always appreciated the sound advice he gave me over the years and yes Jim, I listened. I thought it unique that such a large man actually liked Teddy Bears and said it was OK to. I don't think Jim actually cared much what other people thought and liked to do his own thing his own way. Many years ago he said to me "I know I never have to worry about the safety of my daughter when you are around" and then asked in more of a stern statement "will I"? I always got a kick out of that. I remember right after my wedding he walked up to me and when he shook my hand he handed me two shotgun shells and said "just in case". My own father died a while ago so I've been looking more towards Jim since. When I came home from Afghanistan I went to visit Jim and Betsy and he was a great comfort and I was happy I had someone to show my "souvenirs" to and talk about it with. I know some who read this will have known Jim longer than the 30 years I have. I just want to say I believe him to be a generous, humorous and kind Father and Grandfather. I don't think I could have asked for a better father in law. Thank you Jim

Bradley Dearth wheresboo@yahoo.com Monday March 21, 2011 at 3:00 PM

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of uncle Jim. Although I did not know him very well, one of my earliest memories of him is when I was three. He came to visit us in San Diego and brought me a wind up monkey that played the cymbals. Thank you uncle Jim. I loved that toy, and cherish the memory. You will be missed.

Judy and Bob McCain Sunday March 20, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Betsy and family, We were so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. We know you will miss him greatly. We will keep your family in our thoughts in the coming months. May our Lord comfort you at this time. Judy and Bob

Carl & Susan Ericksen Saturday March 19, 2011 at 7:41 AM

Our deepest sympathies are with Betsy and the family after hearing of Jim's passing. Please know that he will always have a special place in our hearts. Carl could not have survived those years in the trailer park without your amazing help with Andrea. And on my first visit to Michigan - your house was one of the first places he brought me to watch a Lions game. Fond memories. Love & prayers, Carl & Susan

Sandra Hayes-White sandoon@ccrtc.com Friday March 18, 2011 at 1:04 PM

Jim was a great guy and good friend from my days at Palisades. He made the best "Santa" on a motorcycle ever. We were all lucky to know him. May he rest in peace.

Toni Campbel (Lora, Sarah, Ned) tonilc4@comcast.net Friday March 18, 2011 at 12:57 PM

The World has lost an Wonderful person, and we have lost a good friend. There will never be another Santa like our Jim! We send our heartfelt condolences.

Joline Chaney and Rob Peet Friday March 18, 2011 at 4:15 AM

You will be greatly missed, especially at the lake house.

Greg Daggett Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 9:25 PM

Dear Betsy and Family, I had the privilege of knowing and working with Jim from 1974 through 1991 when he retired. I learned alot from Jim over he years. He was a kind and genuine man. He kept things fun at work. Jim was famous for his Santa Claus routine when he would pay a visit to the guy's on shift Christmas Eve. I remember how thrilled my kids were when he came to our home on Christmas Eve......he was the real thing. The world was a better place with Jim in it. He will be missed. Greg Daggett and Family, South Haven

Rob (Bobby) Ritt epicentermotorsports@gmail.com Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 9:07 PM

Dear Betsy, Susan, Glen, Leslie, Karen, and Neal, I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I have fond memories of Jim from when "the kids" and I were children. After my dad and he finished work at Palisades, Jim would drive me to Mattawan so I could play with the kids. It was in the bright green Gremlin traveling down I-94 about 80MPH. Jim would call Betsy on the CB radio to let her know we were in route and where we were. Their affectionate "handles" for each other were Fuzzyface and Twinkletoes. He always made me laugh with that. Every time I drive past that mobilehome park I think of all of you. He will be missed. Sincerely, Rob Ritt

Eileen Chlebana Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 1:41 PM

Betsy and family, I had stopped by your house today to drop off a shamrock and soda bread to help you celebrate St. Patrick's Day and was shocked with the news. You are both very special to me and am so sad to hear of Jim's passing. He will be smilin down on all of this this St. Pat's Day!!

Wayne Hock wlhock@chartermi.net Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 12:33 PM

I served aboard the Nautilus with Jim from 59-62. He used to tease me, he said my last name sounded like something you put in soup. He was a great shipmate. Please accept me heartfelt condolences. Wayne Hock, Bay City Mi

Sandra Smith & Robert Fend Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 9:05 PM

We were shocked by the news of Jim's passing; our hearts go out to Betsy and all the kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews. I thought Jim Dearth was one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Ronald W Jett Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 7:56 PM

Your Nautilus shipmates will miss you, you have done your part & we will see you on the next cruise! God bless you & the loved ones you leave behind.

Tommy Robinson Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 3:19 PM

For Family and Friends of ET2(SS) James H. Dearth. No bond is greater than that between family members and that of submarine sailors. We, of the Nautilus Alumni Association, extend our deepest condolences as you grieve. Jim will be missed by his shipmates, but not forgotten. Jim, you have done your duty. Sailor Rest Your Oar! Tommy Robinson, '63 - '67 Secretary, Nautilus Alumni Association

Vern Shockley shockleyx2@aol.com Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 1:51 PM

Thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family.

Dave Sonnenberg djsonnenberg@comcast.net Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 8:53 AM

Dear Betsy, Susan, Glen, Leslie, Karen, & Neal, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. He shall be greatly missed. I have many fond memories of his life, from earlier childhood, and on into adulthood as well. I recall the many times he brought the whole family to our home on north point, with a cardboard box holder loaded with Dairy Queen ice cream cones for all fourteen of us. What a cool surprise that was when this happen. There was fishing in your boat off Depot beach, learning to water ski, and the beautiful view of lake Charlevoix from your home. I can still hear his unique laugh that belong only to him. I recall trips to your home in Mattawan where I always looked forward to seeing the many family trips you took on video, commented by Jim. The privilege of knowing Jim continued on into adulthood when he hired me to work with him at Palisades as my supervisor. The friendship continued to grow as I gained a greater respect for his grasp and understanding of all things technical. Not unlike any other work place, we made fun of each others idiosyncrasies. Two of them for Jim was his tendency to get his very large fingers in places never meant for that size, causing unwanted perturbations in electronic circuits: or his enjoyment and body demeanor to recline in his desk chair and pontificate on all things important in the plant and world with a large cigar in the corner of his mouth. I believe it was he who gave me the idea which I still use today, which seem corny at the time, but to drink hot water rather than coffee. Feels good, warms the body, and is heather than coffee. He was fun to be around, a big teddy bear. He will be missed. My Children still remember vividly the times he personally came by our home at night as Santa Claus. No one performed the role better than Jim, with his authentic white beard, gentle smile, and his special laugh. Jim, with Betsy, never once missed my childrens high school graduation open house. It was always a pleasure to see them at our home, especially after his retirement. Just another testimony of their friendship and dedication to the Sonnenberg family that once started in Charlevoix and continued for the past 50 years. Please know how much I feel your loss, but the memories of him are deeply engrained in my mind and will always be with me. My God Bless you during this time of mourning. Your Friend Always, Dave Sonnenberg South Haven, MI

Pam & Jeff Philipp Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 2:52 AM

You will be missed. Your heart was over flowing with love for children of all ages. Rest in peace . We love and will meet again. Love, Jeff ,Pam,Megan,Melissa & Adam Philipp

Danielle & David Stoops dpstoops@gmail.com Monday March 14, 2011 at 5:24 PM

We are sorry to lose Jim. He will be missed.

Printable Condolence Page

---