James E. Sietsema, age 84, of Shelby, passed away Wednesday March 11, 2020 at home following a long illness.  He was born March 16, 1935 in Ferry Township, the son of Jay and Lucille (Richardson) Sietsema.

He married Lorraine A. Armstrong on July 3, 1953.  Mr. Sietsema served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a jet mechanic specialist.  He had been employed as a millright at S.D. Warren Company in Muskegon for thirty-three years before his retirement.  He was also a farmer and owner of J and L Farm Trailer Sales.  He loved flowers, trees, nature and wildlife.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his children, Linda (George) Gilmore, Ronald (Jackie) Sietsema and Robert (Jane) Sietsema; grandchildren, Trent (Myra) Gilmore, Travis (Jana) Gilmore, Andrea Carl, Adam (Terri) Gilmore, Emily Gilmore, Craig (Stephanie) Sietsema and Ashley Sietsema; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, James Earl Sietsema, and his siblings, Lorraine Alice Olivares, Phil Sietsema, Carol Lee Rutherford, John Sietsema and David Sietsema.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 17th, 6-8 pm.  The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 18th, 11 am at Harris Funeral Home in Shelby with Pastor Jo Belknap officiating.  A  luncheon will immediately follow the funeral service.  Interment will be in Ferry Township Cemetery.

Please consider Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL  33612 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 as a memorial.