James Schutter

James J. Schutter, age 90, passed away May 8, 2024. He was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, to the late John and Florence (Cease) Schutter. He was one of six siblings. On December 1, 1956, he married Nancylee Richards, who preceded him in death in 1986. James also had two children, Nancylee Sheill and Jim Schutter, Jr., both born in Trenton, NJ.

James graduated from Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, in 1951, where his nickname was “Buzz”. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1955 as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. After his discharge, he was employed by Union Camp Paper Company in Trenton, NJ, from 1955 until 1980. He transferred to Kalamazoo, MI, in 1969. He was employed by Hexagon Honeycomb from 1980 until 1986. He then worked for LC Howard Warehouse from 1986 until retiring in 1996.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Kristi Schutter of Kalamazoo, MI; grandson, Michael and Kelly Kindig of Hartland, MI; great-grandchildren, Zoe and Josh Bodziak, Zachary, Zane, and Zavin Kindig of Hartland, MI; great-great-grandchildren, Ella and Henry; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Barb Schutter, Bensalem, PA; sister-in-law, Louise Schutter, Allentown, PA; sister-in-law, Judy Schutter, King of Prussia, PA; sister-in-law, Jill Schutter, Wilkes-Barre, PA; extended family, Jerry, Lisa, and Corey Purk, Laura and Josh, Kalamazoo, MI; Harold Fawley, Kalamazoo, MI; and lots of wonderful family and friends.

Mr. Schutter is preceded in death by his wife, Nancylee; daughter, Nancylee; son-in-law, Michael Kindig; son-in-law, Kevin Sheill; sister, Florence Rogan; and brothers, John, Bill, and Richard. He was also preceded in death by, Nancy Purk, his companion for 30 years.

A service will be held, Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Jim will be laid to rest along with his wife, Nancylee, at East Cooper Township Cemetery, Riverview Drive, Kalamazoo, MI. Friends may visit with the family for an hour prior to the service, from 12:00-1:00 PM. 

Special thanks to Kalena, Katiera, Frank, and Chris for being the best caregivers and friends. You meant the world to Dad and to us.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.