James I. Miller, 84, of Coldwater passed away Monday, August 24, 2026 at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater.
A graveside service will be held October 3, 2026 at South Martin Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at the Martin United Methodist Church.
Friends and family can gather at the cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, Plainwell.
James was born May 29, 1942, in Vicksburg, Michigan, to Paul and Helen (Purdy) Miller. He spent much of his childhood and early adult life in Allegan, Michigan.
Jim’s father was a passionate outdoorsman and instilled the love of fishing and hunting in him, while his mother taught him to love food and to cook.
After high school, Jim traveled to New York City to study photography at the New York Institute of Photography. He returned to Kalamazoo and worked briefly in a photography studio before settling down in Plainwell, MI, with his first wife, Barbara Huitt. Jim and Barb had two children, James Jr. and Lisa, and were married for 23 years before parting ways.
Jim worked at General Motors in Kalamazoo for 28 ½ years before retiring in early 1993. During this time, he met and married Vickilee (Purvis) Danhoff in 1989. Vickilee brought two children, PJ and Jayne, to the family.
Jim spent most of his leisure time hunting, fishing, and taking photos at Kalamazoo Speedway. He is probably best known for taking Plainwell High School’s sports photos and the Valentine’s Day Father-Daughter Dance photos for more than a decade. He was an avid fan at many Plainwell Trojan sporting events, including Jim’s and Lisa’s basketball games and eventually PJ’s baseball and Jayne’s competitive cheer competitions. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and MSU basketball on TV and spending time in the Upper Peninsula with the entire family.
Jim and Vickilee spent a lot of time with their church families, both at Plainwell United Methodist Church and Martin United Methodist Church. Jim went on many mission trips with the Plainwell church men and was an integral part of the Rock @ 5 o’clock program in Martin. He enjoyed the men’s prayer breakfast groups, was a trustee of the church and was faithful and loyal in his service.
Jim and Vickilee left Martin to move to Traverse City, Vickilee’s hometown, for a few years. While there, they were active at the Interlochen Senior Center. In 2019 they moved once again, this time to Coldwater to be nearer to family. Due to his declining health, for the past five years Jim had been a resident of Maple Lawn, where he enjoyed their many activities.
Above all else, Jim treasured the time he spent with Vickilee and their children and grandchildren, all of whom survive. They are James Jr (Alita Davis) Miller, Lisa (Jim Galow) Miller, PJ (Erin Mitten) Danhoff and Jayne (Erik) Sabaitis, and Jim’s seven grandchildren, Ian (Lauren Wierenga) Miller, Izaak (Kayla Pennie) Miller, Aidan Miller, Erik (Jennie Scheerer) Miller-Galow, Evan Miller-Galow, Mason and Molly Sabaitis, and his one great-grandson, Kuzan James Miller.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Martin United Methodist Church or Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility, Coldwater, Michigan.
While visiting Jim’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.
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