James (Jim) Edward Ison, 90, resident Orchard Creek Assisted Living, Traverse City passed Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born July 15, 1926 to Arthur and Ida (Thompson) Ison in Constantine, MI. Jim was a good student and graduated high school at the age of 16. He received a special exemption and enlisted into the US Navy right after high school, serving on a mine sweeper. After his honorable discharge, he attended the Chicago Institute of Design and later worked for the Kirsch Company as an Art Director and Display Manager retiring after 30 years.

Jim married Betty Nofsinger in 1953 and together they had 4 children. He and Betty divorced and James later married Marilyn Butters in 1984. After his retirement from the Kirsch Company, he and Marilyn moved to Traverse City in 1995. He enjoyed volunteering and working on his hobbies, including making scale model shaker furniture, model cars and railroads. He enjoyed the fly-in fishing trips to Canada and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the Traverse City area. He was also a member of the Bonsai Club in Traverse City, as well as the Rail Road Club.

Jim is survived by his daughters Kim Ison of Maple City, Karen Watson of Hastings; sons Steve (Summer) Ison of Traverse City, Brian Ison of South Bend, IN; several grand and great grand children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn (Butters) Ison; parents Arthur and Ida (Thompson) Ison, brother Wayne Ison and grandchild Ian Watson.

A visitation to celebrate Jim's life will be held Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Those wishing an expression of sympathy may direct contributions to Doctors without Borders, P.O. Box 5022, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.