James E. Nieman

On Saturday, October 8th, 2022, James Edwin Nieman, loving husband and father of 4 children, passed away at the age of 64. Jim was born on September 16th, 1958 in Lincoln Park, MI to Edwin and Patricia Nieman. Along with Jack, Gary, Patrick and Greg, he was the third child of five boys. Only a handful of years after graduating from Lincoln Consolidation High School in 1976, Jim married his loving wife, Kathryn Dianne Nieman, and they soon had 4 boys of their own. Having learned the basics of construction from his father, Jim expanded his skills and abilities and made himself into an impressive builder of homes. Jim, together with his brother Gary and his sons, built 3 homes from the ground up, all on Westpoint Street where he raised his family in Taylor, Michigan.

Jim loved to fish with his beloved uncle Leo and his sons. He was highly skilled at catching trout in the many creeks, streams and rivers throughout Michigan and fished every year into his 60's with his youngest son, Levi. Jim was also a capable hunter but preferred hunting for various types of mushrooms around Michigan each spring. He longed to be near the sea and spent as much time as possible in the Florida Keys and later in and around Cancun, Mexico. At 62 years old, Jim began scuba diving and traveled to the open ocean between Mexico and Cuba to swim with migrating Whale Sharks with his sons. Jim had a beautiful heart that touched many people throughout his life. His love extended all the way to the village of Busumbala, Gambia in West Africa where he had been working with his friend Dawda since 2018 to support a small orphanage of less fortunate children who were afforded food, water and education through his generous support. Jim's heart, smile and laugh will be greatly missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Ed, his mother, Patricia and his brothers, Jack, Patrick and Greg. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sons Randall, Patrick, Joel and Levi, daughter-in-law Isabel, his brother Gary, his aunts Kathleen and Della and Uncle Lee, his nieces Sara, Amy and Allie, several cousins and his wonderful grandchildren Zaela Noelle Nieman and Hunter Steven James Nieman who love him very, very much and are full of nothing but wonderful memories of their times together with their beloved "Pappa".

A memorial service will be held in Jim's honor from 6:30 - 9pm on Tuesday, October 18th at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 15600 Trenton Rd. in Southgate, MI.