WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
James A. Fairchild, 89, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010, at Three Rivers Health.
He was born April 6, 1921, on the family farm in Florence Township, a son of Ernest and Florence M. (Kelley) Fairchild.
On May 20, 1948, he married Thelma Weber at the Centreville Presbyterian Church.
Jim worked and operated the family farm until he retired in 1985. He also worked as a Three Rivers Hospital attendant.
Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, where he worked at one time or another on each board.
He served on the Lockport Township Board for 22 yrs, 13 as its treasurer; the Lockport-Fabius Park Fire Board for 17 years; and the Agricultural Stabilization Committee for more than 20 years.
Jim was a St. Joseph Farm Bureau lifetime member, and Junior Farm Bureau and St. Joseph County 4-H leader. Jim also served on the Gov. G. Mennon Williams Agricultural Advisory Board.
Surviving Jim are his wife, Thelma Fairchild; daughters Carla Jean (Will) McDonald of Bennettsville, S.C., and Louann (Lee) Bitely of Bitely; son Charles Fairchild of Sturgis; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister Lola Musser of Portage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Kathleen Fairchild.
Relatives and friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville, where religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with Pastor Marilyn Schlimgen, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Constantine, officiating.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph County 4-H or Centreville FFA.
