James R. Kauppila, Sr.

James was born in Ishpeming, on January 24th, 1940, a son of the late Laura E. (Nevala) and Ensio Kauppila. He grew up in Ishpeming and was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1958. He served in the U.S. Army as a Helicopter Technician and upon his honorable discharge he returned to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Jim worked as a Master Technician for Mercedes Benz as well as other fine European automobiles. He will be remembered as a fine craftsman who enjoyed working with his hands.

Jim is survived by two daughters, Marian (Keith) Kangas, of Sands; Michelle (Allen Jahovic) Kauppila, of Hobart, IN; son, James (Tamera) Kauppila, of Burlington, WI; two brothers, Raymond (Vanda) Kauppila; Steven (Bonnie) Kauppila both of Ishpeming; grandchildren and great-grandchildren – Jennifer (Nick) Aker, Amanda (Chris Ohnmeiss) York, Sara (Michael) Swick, Mitchel (Jamie) Kauppila, Samantha (Lucas) Baldwin, Aimee (Matt Kasten) Spinato, Amber (Matt) Peacock, Megan (Dakota) Tarvas, Henry Spinato Jr., Mason Kauppila, Lily Kauppila, Shyloh Lehigh, Myles Lehigh, Lydia Rose Baldwin, Willow Aker, Korben Aker, Gryffin Aker, Timothy Swick, Alyssa Swick, Abigail Swick, Micah Kauppila, Makayla Kauppila, Aiden Peacock, Liam Tarvas and Oliver Kasten, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Renate A. Kauppila on Oct. 14th, 2019 and two daughters – Sabine C. Kauppila on May 15th, 2020, and Angela Kauppila on July 5th, 2021.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021, at the Bethel Lutheran Church. Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, at Bethel Lutheran Church, with Rev. Bruce Thorsen officiating.

Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery with Military Honors at a later date.

Jim’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.