James “Cobb” Cardinal, Jr.
(July 4, 1939-June 16, 2002)
BIG BAY – James “Cobb” Cardinal, Jr., 62, of L’Anse and Big Bay, entered eternal life Sunday morning, June 16, 2002, at his home in Big Bay following an apparent heart attack.
Born July 4, 1939 in Baraga, a son of the late James O. and Frances V. (Jondreau) Cardinal, Jim was raised in the Baraga-L’Anse area. On September 29, 1962 he married Nora P. Cram in Big Bay and the couple set about establishing their home and raising a family. In 1998 they purchased a home in Big Bay, dividing their time between L’Anse and Big Bay.
Jim was employed as a heavy equipment operator for 30 years with the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, retiring on August 28, 2000. Jim greatly enjoyed his family, puttering around the house, and the companionship of his canine pal, Missy. He was a lifetime member of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Assinins and a member of the Keweenaw Bay Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
A loving and devoted husband, father, proud grandparent, and brother, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nora P. Cardinal; two daughters, Pauline (Dan) Mitchell of Hessel and Christine Cardinal of Wharton, NJ; two sons, James Hiram Cardinal of Hessel and Mark (Nicky) Cardinal of Marquette; a grandson, James Erwin Mitchell; five sisters, LaVerne Mager of Ishpeming, Carol (Larry) Theel of Jacumba, CA, Elizabeth Sullivan of Milwaukee, WI, and Eleanor Moede and Sandra Dowd both of Baraga; a brother, Mike (Agatha) Cardinal of Baraga; his mother-in-law, Pauline Cram of Harvey; sisters-in-law, Joyce Cram of Cedarville, Mary (Albert “Bert”) Cram of Marquette; Nancy Bozlinski of Baltimore, MD, Fritz Deichlebor of Las Vegas, NV, and Pam (Bill) Bowers of Ronan, MT; brothers-in-law, Hiram Cram of Big Bay, Jack Cram of Polson, MT, and Joseph (Kathy) Cram of Marquette; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Hiram Cram.
Friends may call at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Bay on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 2:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in the church with Rev. Lawrence Gauthier as celebrant. Family members will serve as Jim’s escorts. A luncheon for family and friends will follow at the family home in Big Bay. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay. The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the deceased.
Source: 18 Jun 2002, The Daily Mining Journal, Marquette, MI