James G. 'Jim' Kaffine

IRONWOOD, Mich.- James G. "Jim" Kaffine, 83, of Pence, Wis., died Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.

He was born June 16, 1931, in Montreal, Wis., son of the late Carl and Rose (Mezzano) Kaffine, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis. in 1949. He then entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 3, 1949, serving in occupation forces in Germany, and was honorably discharged on April 19, 1951. Following discharge from the Army, Jim returned to Montreal and married the former Martha Kallio on Oct. 31, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal. Martha preceded him in death on Sept. 25, 1995.

Jim worked in the Montreal Mine for a short time, and was employed as a forester with the Iron County Forestry Department for many years, retiring in 1993. Together, with his wife Martha, he operated Jimmy's Bar in Pence for 30 years. He was a member of Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, and was a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.

A great outdoorsman, Jim loved to fish, bird hunt with his dogs, and deer hunt. He was always so much fun to be around and could make everyone feel at home, and always knew how to have a good time.

Jim was a kind and generous man and will always be remembered for his infectious smile. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are a son, James Jr. (Sam), Colorado Springs, Colo., and daughter, Sue Kaffine, Pence; two grandchildren, Anna Lisa (Jason) Liles, San Antonio, Texas, and Katie (Richard) Payne, Colorado Springs; two great-grandchildren, Saxon and Finn Liles; three brothers, Carl (Elsie), Eveleth, Minn., Donald (Judy), Deerwood, Minn., and Lawrence (Mary), Wausau, Wis .; brother-in-law, Frank Linnemanstons, Eagle River, Wis .; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; his special friend and companion, Jeri Vukusich, Ironwood; former daughter-in-law, Lynnette Kaffine, Colorado Springs; cousin and fishing buddy, Bob Mezzano, Hurley; and faithful companion, his dog, Buddy.

Besides his parents and wife, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Linnemanstons.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Monday, July 28, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St. in Ironwood, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM officiating.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Iron Belt, Wis., where full military honors will be accorded by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will be served at Sidekicks in Iron Belt immediately upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938, or Regional Hospice, 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where online condolences may be expressed at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.