James Leonard “Jimbo” Kastamo

Jim was born on May 18, 1933, in Highland Park, Illinois, a son of the late Onni and Sylvia (Lampinen) Kastamo. He was a 1951 graduate of the Zion (Illinois) Benton High School.

He married Barbara Aho in 1952 in Calumet at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Zion, Illinois, where Jim was employed at the Johnson Outboard, Nybott Corporation and Fitting Specialties. He held different positions which included tool and die apprentice, designer, general manager and inventor.

After living in Zion for 24 years, they moved to Fulton where he owned and operated Jimbo’s Market. They moved to Laurium in 1980. Jim was employed at the Painesdale Machine Shop, Rensen Screw Products and Calumet Machine Shop as general manager and salesman, retiring at age 65. Jim was a resident of the Cypress Manor Nursing Home for the past three and a half years.

Jim is survived by his three sons, Michael of Cypress Manor, Mark of Hancock and Marty of Laurium; and one daughter, Mari (David) Hill of Houghton. Surviving grandchildren are Griffin Kastamo of Hancock, Kara (Max) Brennan of South Lyon, Michigan, Keith (Kierstan) Kastamo of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Laura (Patrick) Guysky of Lansing and Hannah, Austin and Conner Hill of Houghton. His great-grandchildren are Jack and Carter Brennan, and Quinn Guysky. He is also survived by a brother, Ray Kastamo of Brighton; two sisters, Betty (Paul) Jackola of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Jean (Archie) Linna of Beach Park, Illinois. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Carol (Dan) Johnson; brother-in-law, Jack Krans, both of Calumet; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his son, Stephen; a grandson, Evan Hill; a brother, Ron; brothers-in-law, Hans Aho, Don Aho, Charlie Koykka; a sisters-in-law, Jean and Ruth Kastamo, Margaret Krans and Margaret Koykka.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet at 1 p.m. with David Taivalkoski officiating. Family and friends may call 2 hours prior to the service.

Ryan Funeral Home is serving the family.