James Edward DeKiere

Passed away at Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the age of 63. Jim was born in Detroit on August 31, 1948, the son of Henry and Marion ( Zimmer ) DeKiere. His early years were spent in Livonia where he attended Bentley High School. While at Bentley he was active in choir which he continued while attending Eastern Michigan University where he received both his B.A. and Masters in Education. While at Eastern, its choir, for which he was a tenor, traveled to Europe for concerts and also did a recording. He loved playing instruments, one being the accordian. Jim taught for the Plymouth - Canton School system for thirty years specializing in elementary education and retired in 2001. He also sang at many weddings. Jim also sold real estate for Caldwell-Banker. He is survived by his wife Phyllis whom he married in 1980. Also surviving are his son Jon and his wife Joli and their two children Ella and Nicholas. He also leaves his sister Janice ( Thomas ) Neal. Visitation will be held at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Tuesday from 7pm until 9pm and Wednesday from 12 noon until 9pm. A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday 11am at the funeral home with Father Thomas Belczak of St. Kenneth Catholic Church officiating. Contributions are suggested to the Michigan Humane Society, the Diabetes Assoociation or the Liver Foundation.