James H. Ippel

IPPEL, James H.
Of Kalamazoo Jim went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday morning, August 25, 2011. He was born January 23, 1920 in Lucas, Michigan, the son of Cornelius and Agnes Dekker Ippel. On November 30, 1945, he was united in marriage to Bernice Hollemans. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was awarded a physics scholarship to Western Michigan University. He was unable to accept it, as he had to work to help support his family. Jim was proud of his 4 years of service to his country during World War II, serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France. He cherished the honor of being blessed by the laying of hands on his wrists by Pope Pius XII. When Jim was a young boy he had a fish bait business and sold worms and crickets. He kept meticulous records and this venture established his lifelong work ethic, which he passed on to his children. He began his career with the L. Hoekstra Hardware Co. when he was 17. He was manager and treasurer of the firm and worked there for 72 years. He was known as "Mr. Hardware". He was Director and President of the Michigan Retail Hardware Association and Vice President of the National Retail Hardware Board of Governors. Jim was a member of Heritage Christian Reformed Church and served on the church council and on the Kalamazoo Christian School boards. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, working in his yard and on little projects, and having all his children living in Kalamazoo. Jim loved his family, his country and his Lord. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Bernice Ippel; their 3 children, Phillip Jane Ippel, Jayne James Mayer, and Nancy Gary Ausema; 7 grandchildren, Melynda Christopher Munden, Kathlynn Nathaniel Van Hekken, Steven Gabriella Mayer, Paul Mayer, Natalie Steven Ritzema, Janelle Ausema, and David Ausema; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Jane Ippel. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Monday evening at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday at Heritage Christian Reformed Church, 2857 S. 11th Street. Jim will be buried with honors at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorials in Jim's name may be given to the Kalamazoo Christian School Association, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Heritage Christian Reformed Church. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online guest book.