James H. Hall

James Harvey “Ike” Hall, 82, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at his residence. We are saddened by the passing of beloved husband, father, brother, grand and great grandfather, and friend, James H. “Ike” Hall of Decatur, Onaway, and Richland Township, MI. Ike was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte; father, James William; step-mother, Mary; step-brothers, Howard and John Brigham; step-sisters Peggy Tweety and Betty Keeler. Ike is survived by two brothers, John (Gail) Hall of St. Joseph, MI and William (Barbara) Hall of Yuma, AZ; step-brother Bob (Sandy) Brigham of Evanston, IL; wife and best friend of almost 60 years, Marjorie “Marge” (Anderson) with whom he was very much in love.  Ike and Marge had six children, 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren: James (Veronica) Hall of Rochester Hills, MI and their four children, Karen (Francis) Szalay, James (Elisa) Hall, Michelle (Michael) Voorheis, and Michael Hall; and two great-grandchildren, Livia and Olive. Kenneth (Mary Lou) Hall of Hudsonville, MI and their five children, Lauren (Joel) Hall-Vugteveen, Sarah (Sidney) Werner, Steven Hall, John (Kathryn) Hall, and Kevin Hall; and two great-grandchildren, Leonard and Eleanor. Timothy (Tiffany) Hall of Osseo, WI and their four children, Mikayla, Abraham, Fern, and Charlotte. Michael (Anne Crowley) Hall of Washington DC and their three children, Isaiah Daniel Hall Crowley, Samuel Dickinson Hall Crowley, and Eli Michael Hall Crowley. Thomas (Lindsey) Hall of Boon, MI.  One of Ike’s joys in his later years was spending time with Tom and Lindsey’s beagles. Kathleen Hall of Onaway, MI.  Kathy was Marge and Ike’s frequent companion and helped them in many ways, including house sitting while they wintered in Alabama. Ike grew up in Decatur, MI where he attended Decatur Public Schools. His family was well known and well liked in the area. While growing up, he spent time fishing, hunting, and trapping. He played football and basketball in high school and was class president, among other endeavors. Ike graduated in 1954 and planned on becoming a mining engineer at Houghton College. After a year in college, he decided to enter the United States Navy. In 1955, Ike became a crew member on the USS Essex (CVA-9) where he was a dental assistant for three years. His fourth year in the Navy was spent on the USS Tidewater, a submarine tender.  It was during his military service that Ike and Marge were engaged. Ike married Marge on August 29, 1959, after he left the service. They lived in Kalamazoo, where he and Marge completed their degrees in teaching at Western Michigan University. His first job was as a mathematics and science teacher in Decatur.  He accepted a position in Onaway, MI, in 1964, where he taught math and science and later served as middle school principal, athletic director, and superintendent – occasionally serving in multiple positions at the same time. Ike and Marge lived in Onaway for 54 years, and Ike was well known and respected by generations of students.  It was not uncommon for Ike to teach the grandchildren of former students.  He also served in the fire and ambulance departments, and on various community boards and committees.  In 1984, he and Marge moved to nearby Black Lake where they settled, retired, and thoroughly enjoyed visits from grandchildren, relatives, and friends.  They also hosted many family gatherings, including a traditional family reunion every 4th of July. They moved to Richland Township in the summer of 2018 to be closer to family and friends in southern Michigan. A Celebration of Ike’s life will take place on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M51, Decatur, MI, with the Rosary being recited at 1 PM followed by a time of sharing and gathering until 3 PM. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Monday, January 7, 2019 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1628 E G Ave, Parchment, MI, at 11 AM. A private burial will take place at a later date at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com.