James L. “Jim” Gillmer, age 79, of Greenville, passed away Saturday evening, December 3, 2022 at his home under the loving care of his family and hospice.  The son of Archie Leo & Lula Jeanette (Stockwell) Gillmer, he was born on April 4, 1943 in Big Rapids.

After attending Greenville Public Schools, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, having attained the rank of Sergeant and been awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air and Space Longevity Service Award.  After his discharge from the Air Force, Jim continued his service in the Michigan Army National Guard and deployed with the 1073^rd on active duty with the United States Army in Operation Desert Storm (the first Gulf War), retiring after 40 years of combined military service as a Sergeant First Class.

On December 30, 1961, in Greenville, he married Nancy D. Riches and together they enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage and raised four children.  A life-long automobile enthusiast, Jim had run the former Zephyr station in Greenville and owned over 300 automobiles in his lifetime.  Jim retired from Rob Roy Industries, was a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101, the Moose Lodge, and the Cleveland-Wolverton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5065 where he had served in several offices over the years, and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his father, Archie Gillmer, and by his mother, Lula Gillmer-Spohn.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Gillmer of Greenville; their four children, Greg & Angie Gillmer, Cindy & Curt Hansen, Teri Panks, and James L. “Jim” Gillmer II;  his grandchildren, Dan & Mindy Weger, Justin & Carrie Weger, Alex & Rachelle Weger, Ameila Weger, Devin Thomsen, Hailey Gillmer, Owen Gillmer, Chris & Kelly Hansen, Craig Hansen, Cayla & Jesse Mason, Rene Panks, and Kevin Panks;  and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7^th at Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2022, with Chaplain James Chapin of the Michigan Army National Guard officiating.

Military honors, rendered jointly by the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 Honor Guard and the Michigan Army National Guard Honor Guard, will conclude the ceremonies and burial will take place privately at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Instead of flowers, Jim would have appreciated contributions in his memory to St. Charles Catholic School.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jim’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.MichiganCremation.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral

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