Ishpeming Twp- James P. "Jim" Solka, age 87, Ishpeming Township resident passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans while in the loving care of his family and UP Home Health & Hospice.

Jim was born August 20, 1929 in Ishpeming to Andrew & Mary (Junak) Solka.  Jim's earliest years were results of growing up during the Great Depression.  He began working at a young age, spending summers helping around his aunts' farm.  In his teen years, he also began working as a logger.

When a conflict broke out in Korea, Jim was called to help his country.  He ran communication lines for an artillery unit in the 45 ^th Division.  Returning from Korea, in late November of 1952, he got off the train at the Champion Depot and hitched a ride to the Greenwood location where he surprised his mother.  Wasting no time he grabbed his rifle and set out to the woods to find his father and hunting partner.

Jim became a miner in 1953 when he started working underground at the Morris Mine.  It was during this time the he met his future wife, Mary Ann Carollo.  They dated and eventually married in 1957 beginning their family: his first love.  Jim always provided.  When the Morris Mine closed, he went back working in the logging industry eventually moving into mining when he started working for Cleveland Cliffs.  He worked at the Brownstone Shops and finished up his career at the Tilden Mine, retiring in 1991.

Jim's second love was the woods.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and nature itself.  During the summers he and Mary Ann enjoyed camping with friends and family.  They also enjoyed traveling during his retirement.  Trips mostly centered on seeing grandchildren, traveling to New York and to Texas.  In his later years, Jim and his wife would stick closer to home.  He enjoyed occasional day trips to a casino or more often, just "Go for a ride in the bush".  Jim lived a pretty full life.

Jim is survived by 4 children: Peggy (Michael Miller) Solka of Webster, NY, Annette (Scott) Doren, Jamie (Greg) Nardi, & Michael (Dawn) Solka all of Ishpeming, 5 grandchildren: Karrah & Ian Teague, Dustin (fiancée Amanda Snider) & Trevor Doren and Ashlee Richards, a great granddaughter Kaylee Massie, a sister Susan (Terry) Johnson of Ishpeming, sister in law Joan Solka of Iron River, along with nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife- whom he referred to as his "little angel" Mary Ann Solka, an infant daughter Madeline and a brother Andrew Solka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Saturday, October 15, 2016 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Fr. Greg Heikkala officiating.

Jim's family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday at St. Johns Church from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.  A luncheon will follow the service at K/D Hall.

Military Honors will be accorded by the UP Honor Guard at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans- activity fund, 425 Fisher St. Marquette, MI 49855 in Jim's memory.

Jim's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .