Ishpeming – James R. Gravedoni, age 76, of 885 N Westwood Dr, passed away at 11:25PM on Friday, March 21, 2008 at Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, following a courageous battle with cancer.


Jim was born July 26, 1931 in Ishpeming the son of the late Charles P. and Ernestine E. (Forchini) Gravedoni. Jim had worked at the Iron Ore Reflector Newspaper in Ishpeming, Corneliuson's Bakery, the Lloyd Mine, Uranium Mine in Grants, NM, US Steel Co. in North Chicago, IL, Mather B, and retired from the Tilden Mine after 33 years of service with C.C.I. He had served in the 107th Engineer Battalion of the National Guard.


Jim loved his family and his church. He was a member of the Good News Assembly of God Church in Ishpeming. Jim ministered to many people over the years, through his clown ministry, area nursing home ministry, and mission trips to Mexico and Jamaica. Jim was named Salvation Army volunteer of the year in 2003.


Jim is survived by his wife Bonnie L. (Isotalo) Gravedoni, whom he married July 26, 1975, six children – Sharleen N. (David) Kari of Ishpeming, Peggy A. (David) Cloninger of Seldovia, Alaska, Lyndel S. Friess of Dallas, TX, James R. Gravedoni Jr. of Ishpeming, Janine M. (Tim) Dellangelo of Ishpeming and Andrea M. (Erik) Korpi of Ishpeming; 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 3 sisters – Judith A. (Paul) Jarvi of Negaunee, Mildred E. Perry of Negaunee and Elizabeth L. Herman of Palmer; 5 brothers – Daniel P. Gravedoni of Crestview, FL, William M. (Suann) Gravedoni of Crestview, FL, Paul S. (Peggy) Gravedoni of Negaunee, Joseph J. (Charlotte) Gravedoni of Negaunee, and Charles P. (Patricia) Gravedoni of Negaunee; 4 aunts – Mary Langlois and Pat M. Gravedoni both of Negaunee, and Ruby Forchini and Pearl Forchini both of Ishpeming; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Troy J. Gravedoni on June 3, 1998, his parents, a sister Adele Hintsala, brother Gerald L. Gravedoni along with two infant brothers.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 until 5:00PM on Thursday March 27, 2008 at the Good News Assembly of God Church in Ishpeming. Funeral Services will follow at 5:00pm at the Church with the Rev. John Roy to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


Pallbearers will be Jim's brothers and sisters – Daniel P. Gravedoni, William M. Gravedoni, Paul S. Gravedoni, Joseph J. Gravedoni, Judith A. Jarvi, and Mildred E. Perry.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of one's choice in Jim's memory.