My name is Mike Archambeau. I met Jim in 2004. Ever since then we were friends. He was a brother to me. I miss his laughter and his generous personality. When I went into the military, I told him I’d see him soon. A few days before he died, i got married. When i heard the news about what had happened, I was crushed. I still am in a state of shock from it all. It will hit me more when i go back to the UP. Jim helped me through a rough point in my life. I wish I could have thanked him more. He taught me how to be selfless. He was that type of person. Words cannot expalin how GREAT of a friend he was to me. He is with all of us in spirit. -Archie
Mike Archambeau
Dayton, OH
What awesome tributes to James! It has been a few months since he left his friends and loved ones, and I have finally been able to read these tributes-they just warm my heart-makes me proud to be his Mom…His brothers Brad and Doug, and I are all together this weekend, and we feel him with us!
Sharl (Druckenmiller) Cayer
Rock, MI
My prayers are with the family. James was a good friend of mine in high school. And he will be truly missed. Everytime he saw my mother, Cathy, he would always ask about me. He was a great person and will never be forgotten!!
Sally Ragland
Knoxville, TN
I met Jim through my mother (Pat Erickson) who worked with Jim. Jim was always kind and a thoughtful person and had a hug and a smile for anyone in need. Jim was alway respectful of my mom and helped her and our family through the difficult times she was dealing with. Jim was always willing to help out when ever needed. I will always remember Jim in my heart and also the loved ones he has left behind. I am sorry that I couldn’t make it to the services. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Lorens
Skandia, MI
Jimmy was a student of mine when I taught at Bay de Noc Community College. He was always a joy to spend time with — his smile and laughter were infectious. His death saddens me very much; you have my deepest sympathy.
Vicki Morin
Marquette, MI
I am so sorry to read about James….
I really liked him alot, he was always so friendly.
Even after all these year of being out of school ,he would come into Penneys with that big smile on his face( and smelling good) always so nice, always so full of life.
We all will miss his happy face and kind words…
The picture in the paper was James, always smiling….
Sincerly
Cathy Ohlen Stone
Rapid River, MI
Dear Sharl and family
I am so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. I hope your many memories will help you through this time of sorrow and shock. I am sure that my mother, Viv, would also send her love. She is doing fine and enjoys her sweets and her babay dolls.
Love to all.
Shelly
Shelly Dunn Fremont
New York, NY
Max was so much fun to be around, what an enjoyable person. We met around 15 years ago with my friend, Gina. He will truly be missed.
Charlotte Groleau
Gladstone, MI
I am at a loss for words at this sudden loss. I, and the entire group of U.P. Teen Leadership staff and former students of the program, would like to send our love and prayers to the family of “Max”. He had that infectious laugh and smile we loved so much. We loved marveling at all he contributed to younger kids as a young staff person. He is missed instantly by so many who knew and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers to you now and in future times of great grief. So sorry we couldn’t make it to Gladstone in person to let you know how much he meant to us. Lynn Barrette-Gaunt, U.P. Teen Leadership
Lynn Barrette-Gaunt
Chassell, MI
Having known Jim through his work at the Oasis, it was always a pleasure to see his smiling face. I will greatly miss his sense of humor that always made me laugh. My sympathy is with his family in this time of sorrow.
Jill W.
Daggett, MI
I was shocked to learn of James’ death over the Christmas Holidays. He was a student of mine at Bay a few years ago and a pleasure to have in class. Long after he had left my classroom, he never failed to share a smile and a friendly greeting when I ran into him. You have my sincere condolences on your loss. He will be missed.
Shirley Gollach
Escanaba, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family at this very difficult time. Jim was such a happy, kind person. I worked at Hannahville and got to know Jim through mentoring and the Oasis. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and he will be greatly missed by all those that knew him. Whenever I ran into Jim out and about he would always greet me with the biggest smile and I will always remember that! We were all so lucky to have had him touch our hearts, even if it was for such a brief time.
Kelly Arnold
Escanaba, MI
My wife and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Jim. He was our neighbor that lived behind us before we moved recently from Sheridan road. Jim invited us over to his house as soon as we had moved in, and welcomed us to the neighborhood in spite of recently buying his house and moving in himself in 2003. We would speak regularly to each other and we always noticed the big smile he would have on his face, he seemed to never be in a bad mood. Our sympathy goes out to his family, his friends, and to anyone who knew him. We know he will be missed by anyone he came in contact with, he will be greatly missed by us.Take care and best wishes.
Randy and Carlene Higby
Escanaba, MI
Jimmy was a very loving person I have known him since he was a baby and he grew up to be a very respectful person I have always admired his beautiful smile and how good he was to his mother and so polite to all who ever he met with. My words cannot express how much sympathy I have for his mother I have been praying for her all along for quite sometime now for her health and now this, Sharl may God always be with you.
Betty Kivekas
Rock, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am the Workforce Development Coordinator for Hannahville and Jim was a great help with the Summer Youth Program. He always had a smile on his face and was always helpful to me and the program–we will miss him dearly.
Peter Dishaw
Wilson, MI
Sharl and Family,
We are so sad for your loss. James was a fantastic person and such a good friend to our girls. We loved him. His smile radiated happiness and true sincerity.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Den and Cheryl Stanek
Gladstone, MI
Our family knew James through our younger brother Ernie. I will always remember James smiling face and kind words. He will be sadly missed..
Jodi Punzel
Escanaba, MI
I had the honor and pleasure of attending high school with James. I have so many great memories of him, but I am particularly fond of the time he, Heather (Utterback) Reese, and I went to the flower shop to pick up carnations for SADD’s annual Valentine’s Day Flower Sale (and, of course, singing telegrams- but that’s another story…). At the time, James had his Ford Taurus – great car that he loved to drive really fast. They piled me in the backseat with buckets of flowers- and water! Needless to say, it was a long, wet drive back to school!
We had a lot of good laughs together and I was proud to call him “friend.” While I, regretfully, have not seen him in a while, I still consider him a friend and am saddened by this loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences- I will keep you all in prayer.
Sarah (Waelde) Hierman
Plymouth, MI
Jim was a welcoming face whenever we’d stop at the Casino. Always smiling, and never an unkind word. We will miss him!
Robyn Rhode & Family
Bark River, MI
James was the most pleasant manager in the entire Hannahville Indian Community. From the day he was hired in 2000 to help the Community open the Island Oasis, he so capably and willingly worked to make the business succeed from its inception. He was well respected by his staff and by the Hannahville Indian Community but this respect was deeper because of his infectious smile and caring ways. As the Human Resources Director for the Hannahville Indian Community, I knew from the very first day that James would become one of our most devoted employees and he met that expectation and more. Those of us at the Hannahville Indian Community Administration building will sorely miss his morning visit to deliver the Island Oasis business reports. Without his carefree and caring demeanor as part of our day, the day will not be complete. God bless his family and friends and may they receive his strength in the coming days.
Jeannette Lockman, HR Director
Wilson, MI
Jim’s caring, fun-loving, friendly, positive, and energetic personality will be missed by all. He would always put a smile on your face, there are too many good qualities Jim possesed to list. He was a friend to all that knew him.
Amy H
Escanaba, MI
My first memory of James was the first time I saw him in church, at Faith/Rock. I was sitting with the “M” family-(Bradley hadn’t bless us yet by being born.) During church James took his bottle and walked down the pew and sat in my lap. Later I was blessed to be one of his Sunday school teachers. I don’t think I ever saw James that he did not have a smile on his face.
He will be missed!
Sharl, you did an amazing job of raising those boys. My heart goes out to all of you.
Blessings
Love
Carol Ontto
McFarland, MI
Sharl-
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Gregg (Goetz) Browngoetz
Wasilla, AK
I honestly do not have words to express the sadness that grips my heart right now. Nor do I have the words with which to describe or do justice to what James has meant & always will mean to me. James was, is, and always will be amongst my most cherished friends.
I could always count on him to make me laugh or smile when life was at its ugliest. He listened attentively & without judgement when I needed a confidant. Jame’s motives were never in question and I trusted him like few others.
I will remember James for the sweet, funloving, and reliable chum he was. Selfishness was not in his vocabulary and if I’d asked, he’d probably have given me the shirt off his back. There are so many fond memories that stretch my lips into a silly grin & a make my belly shake in laughter. I recall James coming to the rescue on more than one occasion, when most guys would have probably said, “Can’t one of your gal-pals handle this one?” I went to homecoming one year with a date that turned into a complete disaster and James actually drove me home instead of my date. What a pal!
I have so many more sweet memories of James that warm my heart, memories that I’ll hold close to my heart for the rest of my days. My heart, soul, & deepest love go out to James’ loved ones. Thank you for sharing him with us. Please take comfort in knowing that your son, grandson, brother, and nephew left this world better than he found it. I for one vow to pass it on…
Heather S. Newell
Tifton, GA
Sorry to hear about James. I always enjoyed seeing James and takling with him. James always had a smile on his face and loved to laugh.
Becky Jacobson
Escanaba, MI
It is so unexpected to lose someone so young, cheerful, and loving so suddenly. I am very grateful to have spent some happy times recently with him and will never forget his welcoming hugs. He is sadly missed among many friends.
Carolyn Niebauer
Escanaba, MI
I’ve known Jim for 4 years through work. I delivered to the Casino Gas Station and everytime I talked to him, he was always smiling and could put a smile on my face. Jim was a person that always liked to have fun and cared for other people. It was my pleasure to have had him as a friend. I will miss talking to him every week and seeing him smile. He made my job fun and he will be sadly missed. Your BudMan
Chris Carter
Cornell, MI
Our deepest sympathy to your family – we were so shocked to hear about James’ passing. My younger brother Ernie Abel and Terri and James hung out together years back and James was always a joy to have around. We had quite a few good times and laughs. He was a very kind and loving person. Our deepest sympathy.
Tammy (Cook) Chaillier
Escanaba, MI
You were a great friend who always knew how to cheer me up. I’m going to miss the good times we had. You are already missed.
Amanda Hansen
Escanaba, MI
I was so shocked by the loss of my dear friend. I can’t even begin to put into words how great of a person that Jim was. He had such a great love for life and all that were around him. I will miss Jim very much. My deepest sympathy Sharl, Bradley and Doug.
Jennifer Truitt (Piche)
Escanaba, MI
James was a great kid and we loved his laugh and smile. He grew up across the street from us and we always knew he would be a fine young man.
Cindi Tucker
Plainview, AR
Jim was a wonderful guy. His warm heart and kind soul touched many people. His fun-loving spirit was contagious. He was a joy to be around. I feel lucky and blessed to have known him. He will be missed.
Dani
Marquette, MI
Sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was such a nice young man.
Robert (tiny) Blalock
Escanaba, MI
Jim will always be remembered in our hearts as a great brother and brother-in-law,and uncle to Ronald, Kaitlin,Cody ! He was very much loved and such a great person to be around he will be sadly missed by all!
Amy Cayer
Perkins, MI
James [as I always called you] We will miss your friendly smile and your great personality. I will never forget the times we went out after classes to discuss our situations in college. Our successes and mistakes. You always looked at the bright side of things and made light of a difficult situation. I will miss your happy face and your bear hugs when I would see you.
Terry and I will miss you dearly. We will meet again some day in heaven I am certain of that.
Until then, god bless your family and friends that will miss you dearly.
Anonymous
My name is Mike Archambeau. I met Jim in 2004. Ever since then we were friends. He was a brother to me. I miss his laughter and his generous personality. When I went into the military, I told him I’d see him soon. A few days before he died, i got married. When i heard the news about what had happened, I was crushed. I still am in a state of shock from it all. It will hit me more when i go back to the UP. Jim helped me through a rough point in my life. I wish I could have thanked him more. He taught me how to be selfless. He was that type of person. Words cannot expalin how GREAT of a friend he was to me. He is with all of us in spirit. -Archie
Mike Archambeau
Dayton, OH
What awesome tributes to James! It has been a few months since he left his friends and loved ones, and I have finally been able to read these tributes-they just warm my heart-makes me proud to be his Mom…His brothers Brad and Doug, and I are all together this weekend, and we feel him with us!
Sharl (Druckenmiller) Cayer
Rock, MI
My prayers are with the family. James was a good friend of mine in high school. And he will be truly missed. Everytime he saw my mother, Cathy, he would always ask about me. He was a great person and will never be forgotten!!
Sally Ragland
Knoxville, TN
I met Jim through my mother (Pat Erickson) who worked with Jim. Jim was always kind and a thoughtful person and had a hug and a smile for anyone in need. Jim was alway respectful of my mom and helped her and our family through the difficult times she was dealing with. Jim was always willing to help out when ever needed. I will always remember Jim in my heart and also the loved ones he has left behind. I am sorry that I couldn’t make it to the services. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Lorens
Skandia, MI
Jimmy was a student of mine when I taught at Bay de Noc Community College. He was always a joy to spend time with — his smile and laughter were infectious. His death saddens me very much; you have my deepest sympathy.
Vicki Morin
Marquette, MI
I am so sorry to read about James….
I really liked him alot, he was always so friendly.
Even after all these year of being out of school ,he would come into Penneys with that big smile on his face( and smelling good) always so nice, always so full of life.
We all will miss his happy face and kind words…
The picture in the paper was James, always smiling….
Sincerly
Cathy Ohlen Stone
Rapid River, MI
Dear Sharl and family
I am so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. I hope your many memories will help you through this time of sorrow and shock. I am sure that my mother, Viv, would also send her love. She is doing fine and enjoys her sweets and her babay dolls.
Love to all.
Shelly
Shelly Dunn Fremont
New York, NY
Max was so much fun to be around, what an enjoyable person. We met around 15 years ago with my friend, Gina. He will truly be missed.
Charlotte Groleau
Gladstone, MI
I am at a loss for words at this sudden loss. I, and the entire group of U.P. Teen Leadership staff and former students of the program, would like to send our love and prayers to the family of “Max”. He had that infectious laugh and smile we loved so much. We loved marveling at all he contributed to younger kids as a young staff person. He is missed instantly by so many who knew and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers to you now and in future times of great grief. So sorry we couldn’t make it to Gladstone in person to let you know how much he meant to us. Lynn Barrette-Gaunt, U.P. Teen Leadership
Lynn Barrette-Gaunt
Chassell, MI
Having known Jim through his work at the Oasis, it was always a pleasure to see his smiling face. I will greatly miss his sense of humor that always made me laugh. My sympathy is with his family in this time of sorrow.
Jill W.
Daggett, MI
I was shocked to learn of James’ death over the Christmas Holidays. He was a student of mine at Bay a few years ago and a pleasure to have in class. Long after he had left my classroom, he never failed to share a smile and a friendly greeting when I ran into him. You have my sincere condolences on your loss. He will be missed.
Shirley Gollach
Escanaba, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family at this very difficult time. Jim was such a happy, kind person. I worked at Hannahville and got to know Jim through mentoring and the Oasis. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and he will be greatly missed by all those that knew him. Whenever I ran into Jim out and about he would always greet me with the biggest smile and I will always remember that! We were all so lucky to have had him touch our hearts, even if it was for such a brief time.
Kelly Arnold
Escanaba, MI
My wife and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Jim. He was our neighbor that lived behind us before we moved recently from Sheridan road. Jim invited us over to his house as soon as we had moved in, and welcomed us to the neighborhood in spite of recently buying his house and moving in himself in 2003. We would speak regularly to each other and we always noticed the big smile he would have on his face, he seemed to never be in a bad mood. Our sympathy goes out to his family, his friends, and to anyone who knew him. We know he will be missed by anyone he came in contact with, he will be greatly missed by us.Take care and best wishes.
Randy and Carlene Higby
Escanaba, MI
Jimmy was a very loving person I have known him since he was a baby and he grew up to be a very respectful person I have always admired his beautiful smile and how good he was to his mother and so polite to all who ever he met with. My words cannot express how much sympathy I have for his mother I have been praying for her all along for quite sometime now for her health and now this, Sharl may God always be with you.
Betty Kivekas
Rock, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am the Workforce Development Coordinator for Hannahville and Jim was a great help with the Summer Youth Program. He always had a smile on his face and was always helpful to me and the program–we will miss him dearly.
Peter Dishaw
Wilson, MI
Sharl and Family,
We are so sad for your loss. James was a fantastic person and such a good friend to our girls. We loved him. His smile radiated happiness and true sincerity.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Den and Cheryl Stanek
Gladstone, MI
Our family knew James through our younger brother Ernie. I will always remember James smiling face and kind words. He will be sadly missed..
Jodi Punzel
Escanaba, MI
I had the honor and pleasure of attending high school with James. I have so many great memories of him, but I am particularly fond of the time he, Heather (Utterback) Reese, and I went to the flower shop to pick up carnations for SADD’s annual Valentine’s Day Flower Sale (and, of course, singing telegrams- but that’s another story…). At the time, James had his Ford Taurus – great car that he loved to drive really fast. They piled me in the backseat with buckets of flowers- and water! Needless to say, it was a long, wet drive back to school!
We had a lot of good laughs together and I was proud to call him “friend.” While I, regretfully, have not seen him in a while, I still consider him a friend and am saddened by this loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences- I will keep you all in prayer.
Sarah (Waelde) Hierman
Plymouth, MI
Jim was a welcoming face whenever we’d stop at the Casino. Always smiling, and never an unkind word. We will miss him!
Robyn Rhode & Family
Bark River, MI
James was the most pleasant manager in the entire Hannahville Indian Community. From the day he was hired in 2000 to help the Community open the Island Oasis, he so capably and willingly worked to make the business succeed from its inception. He was well respected by his staff and by the Hannahville Indian Community but this respect was deeper because of his infectious smile and caring ways. As the Human Resources Director for the Hannahville Indian Community, I knew from the very first day that James would become one of our most devoted employees and he met that expectation and more. Those of us at the Hannahville Indian Community Administration building will sorely miss his morning visit to deliver the Island Oasis business reports. Without his carefree and caring demeanor as part of our day, the day will not be complete. God bless his family and friends and may they receive his strength in the coming days.
Jeannette Lockman, HR Director
Wilson, MI
Jim’s caring, fun-loving, friendly, positive, and energetic personality will be missed by all. He would always put a smile on your face, there are too many good qualities Jim possesed to list. He was a friend to all that knew him.
Amy H
Escanaba, MI
My first memory of James was the first time I saw him in church, at Faith/Rock. I was sitting with the “M” family-(Bradley hadn’t bless us yet by being born.) During church James took his bottle and walked down the pew and sat in my lap. Later I was blessed to be one of his Sunday school teachers. I don’t think I ever saw James that he did not have a smile on his face.
He will be missed!
Sharl, you did an amazing job of raising those boys. My heart goes out to all of you.
Blessings
Love
Carol Ontto
McFarland, MI
Sharl-
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Gregg (Goetz) Browngoetz
Wasilla, AK
I honestly do not have words to express the sadness that grips my heart right now. Nor do I have the words with which to describe or do justice to what James has meant & always will mean to me. James was, is, and always will be amongst my most cherished friends.
I could always count on him to make me laugh or smile when life was at its ugliest. He listened attentively & without judgement when I needed a confidant. Jame’s motives were never in question and I trusted him like few others.
I will remember James for the sweet, funloving, and reliable chum he was. Selfishness was not in his vocabulary and if I’d asked, he’d probably have given me the shirt off his back. There are so many fond memories that stretch my lips into a silly grin & a make my belly shake in laughter. I recall James coming to the rescue on more than one occasion, when most guys would have probably said, “Can’t one of your gal-pals handle this one?” I went to homecoming one year with a date that turned into a complete disaster and James actually drove me home instead of my date. What a pal!
I have so many more sweet memories of James that warm my heart, memories that I’ll hold close to my heart for the rest of my days. My heart, soul, & deepest love go out to James’ loved ones. Thank you for sharing him with us. Please take comfort in knowing that your son, grandson, brother, and nephew left this world better than he found it. I for one vow to pass it on…
Heather S. Newell
Tifton, GA
Sorry to hear about James. I always enjoyed seeing James and takling with him. James always had a smile on his face and loved to laugh.
Becky Jacobson
Escanaba, MI
It is so unexpected to lose someone so young, cheerful, and loving so suddenly. I am very grateful to have spent some happy times recently with him and will never forget his welcoming hugs. He is sadly missed among many friends.
Carolyn Niebauer
Escanaba, MI
I’ve known Jim for 4 years through work. I delivered to the Casino Gas Station and everytime I talked to him, he was always smiling and could put a smile on my face. Jim was a person that always liked to have fun and cared for other people. It was my pleasure to have had him as a friend. I will miss talking to him every week and seeing him smile. He made my job fun and he will be sadly missed. Your BudMan
Chris Carter
Cornell, MI
Our deepest sympathy to your family – we were so shocked to hear about James’ passing. My younger brother Ernie Abel and Terri and James hung out together years back and James was always a joy to have around. We had quite a few good times and laughs. He was a very kind and loving person. Our deepest sympathy.
Tammy (Cook) Chaillier
Escanaba, MI
You were a great friend who always knew how to cheer me up. I’m going to miss the good times we had. You are already missed.
Amanda Hansen
Escanaba, MI
I was so shocked by the loss of my dear friend. I can’t even begin to put into words how great of a person that Jim was. He had such a great love for life and all that were around him. I will miss Jim very much. My deepest sympathy Sharl, Bradley and Doug.
Jennifer Truitt (Piche)
Escanaba, MI
James was a great kid and we loved his laugh and smile. He grew up across the street from us and we always knew he would be a fine young man.
Cindi Tucker
Plainview, AR
Jim was a wonderful guy. His warm heart and kind soul touched many people. His fun-loving spirit was contagious. He was a joy to be around. I feel lucky and blessed to have known him. He will be missed.
Dani
Marquette, MI
Sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was such a nice young man.
Robert (tiny) Blalock
Escanaba, MI
Jim will always be remembered in our hearts as a great brother and brother-in-law,and uncle to Ronald, Kaitlin,Cody ! He was very much loved and such a great person to be around he will be sadly missed by all!
Amy Cayer
Perkins, MI
James [as I always called you] We will miss your friendly smile and your great personality. I will never forget the times we went out after classes to discuss our situations in college. Our successes and mistakes. You always looked at the bright side of things and made light of a difficult situation. I will miss your happy face and your bear hugs when I would see you.
Terry and I will miss you dearly. We will meet again some day in heaven I am certain of that.
Until then, god bless your family and friends that will miss you dearly.
Terry and Jackie Mott
Orange Park, FL