Date of Death: May 24, 2022
Service Details
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 645 S. Douglas Ave., Three Rivers. Father R. Mathias will be celebrant.
Obituary Notice
James Eugene “Jim” DalPonte, 92, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. He was born on November 27, 1929 in Three Rivers, the son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Grazian) DalPonte.
Jim was a 1948 graduate of Three Rivers High School. After graduation he went on to Michigan State University for a two-year business course. He then worked for John Sexton Co. in Detroit for five years. In 1955 he came back to Three Rivers and went to work for the Johnson Corporation where he worked for 32 1/2 years as Regional Sales Manager, working with representatives and covering Wisconsin as an open territory. He thoroughly loved his job and was so thankful to work for such a wonderful company. He loved traveling around the United States and established lasting relationships with colleagues and customers.
Jim served the community in many ways: Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Oldest member of the Elks for a number of years, a devout member of Immaculate Conception Church, and honorary member of the American Legion. Even though he was never in the service, he felt honored to blow Taps over 30 years for veterans at burials.
He loved the town of Three Rivers and the people in it very much. He was also very proud and humbled to be elected by the Lions Club as “Citizen of the Year.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Elizabeth (Grazian) DalPonte; wonderful wife of 52 years, Jeanette (Careggio) DalPonte; siblings, Rose DalPonte, Mary (George) Houghtaling, Frank (Elaine) DalPonte, Jack (Mary) DalPonte, Pete (Chrystal) DalPonte, Chet (Florence) DalPonte; son, Tom Stutesman; and daughter, Shelle Grant.
Jim leaves to cherish his loving memory four children, Mark (Patty) DalPonte, James Scott (Carmen) DalPonte, Jon (Cindy) DalPonte and Paul (Connie) Stutesman; grandchildren, Nick (Alanna), Tony, Alison, Brooke (Jeff), Brandon (Katy), Chad, Heather, Tripp, and Ava; great-grandchildren, Bryce, Rylan, Devon, Blake, Brayden, Genevieve, Layla, Claire, Nora, Isabella and Audrey; sister-in-law, Paula (Rick) Zemke; many special nieces, nephews and friends.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Immaculate Conception Parish Education Trust Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
I am just now seeing this! I loved Jimmy and Jeanette! We worked together on several committees at Immaculate Conception! Together we raised the money for Immaculate Conception School. Both of them worked with such enthusiasm🙏🏼💝
My deepest sympathy to family who have lost a true man of family and faith . He was and will remain such an example to those he knew . I went to school with Mark and Shelley . God bless you all . .
Mary , . . 🌹mother of God pray for souls . . 🙏✝️
I am sorry to hear of his passing. I knew him through his children, Shelle, James. He lived about quarter mile from my parents. My condolences to the family.
Jim always had a smile and was great to talk to.
Our thoughts and prayers for the family.
Joe, Sherrie & Ryan Nowicki
I will surely miss my dear friend Jimmy. I so looked forward to his calls and talking with him frequently. It is not very often you get to have such a sweet friend for so many years. From high school through our 90’s – Jimmy, I am going to miss hearing that laugh of yours you sweet man.
Dear family,
I have fond memories of Mr. Dalponte. He would come in the station and eat a muffin and say, ” I gotta eat this here because my wife has me on a diet.” 🙂 He sold watermelons at the station one day. The money went to ICU for computers. He was bigger than life and so many people loved him. Annette
I’m so sadden for the loss of my wonderful Uncle Jimmy. What I’ll miss most is that great smile of his. May he rest in peace now with my Aunt and the rest of his family for they will all have a joyous reunion. Love You, Mary Elizabeth
Three Rivers lost a valuable citizen and friend when Jimmy died. Thank you, Jimmy, for the memories.
Jim was an outstanding man who people enjoyed spending time with. He was part of a great Johnson Corporation family. I always loved seeing that big smile. My father and I worked at Johnson Corporation and he was a big part of that Corporation. My sincere condolences to his family. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
My sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family. He was definitely a community man. He was one of a kind. He will be missed.
Jim was one of a kind. He was one of the best salesmen I have ever seen. He was a good man and a good citizen. He worked hard and always had a good word for everyone. He will be missed.
Jim was a person who could always make you smile. He was serious about his Catholic faith and I am sure he is reaping those rewards right now. The world is a sadder place without him in it and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him.
He was I believe considered a Legend to the people of Three Rivers!
Jon, I’m so sorry for your loss. My mom Nelvina Weiderman worked with him and always spoke highly of him.
What a great guy!! Jim was the quintessential salesman. He had that infectious smile, warm handshake and always a sincere compliment just for you. He remembered your name and many personal facts about you. He was a willing worker and cared deeply for his family, his colleagues at the Johnson Corporation, Immaculate Conception, the community of Three Rivers. He was always dishing out insults to my husband Roger who would dish out more insults to Jim. They loved each other like a brother and looked like matching book ends. We will all miss Jim. We are all better for having known such a wonderful guy.
My sincerest condolences to All who loved Jim Dal Ponte.
Jim and Jeanette were good friends. Joe built their home many years ago. We remained friends and enjoyed visiting with them over the years. Jimmy was always joyful and full of so many stories. He is, I am sure, spreading joy. playing taps, and being welcomed by family and friends. We will miss him here and look forward to meeting him again. RIP my friend.
Jimmy was a wonderful, kind, thoughtful, jolly, giving man! I was blessed to know him. I was at a funeral recently and when Taps was played, I immediately thought of him fondly. My prayers will be with the family. May your memories give you comfort.
What a honor to have known such a very giving man. As many of you I worked at Johnson with Jim. Always thinking of others. Will never forget his car was full of cheese when he came back from a business trip, You could always tell when he was around with that special laugh. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Pete and Carole Bonebright
You will forever be such a special male figure in my childhood. Always so warm and jolly and full of life. You were a gift to everyone who knew you. Sending love from Colorado to all of the family.
I remember Jim and Jeanette very well. Jim worked with my father at Johnson
Corporation for many years. He was a very kind man. Condolences to his family.
My Condoleance to the family of one of the best Husbands- Fathers and Grandfather. I worked with Jimmy at Johnsons for over 20 years and he was one of the best salesman johnson had, he will be missed by many, My thoughts and prayers to all of his family, you should all hang your heads up high, you just lost a great man and may God be with all of you from the Galinet family Margaret and Dave
Sending my sympathies to Jim’s family during this sad time. My late husband Robert worked with him for many years at The Johnson Corporation. He thought Jim was one of the good guys and admired his “gift to gab”
There will be several friends, family and co- workers up there to welcome Jim to his forever home.
Very sorry to hear! He was a dear friend to my parents. He and my Dad went to Alaska one summer and worked on building a runway at the airbase.
Very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a very friendly guy and a good neighbor..Prayers to the family and may he rest in peace!
We love & miss you both.
You are in heaven with the rest
of your siblings, & children RIP to all.
Thoughts & prayers to the family,
Much love,
Jim, Jackie & Samantha Drake
We are really sorry to hear of his passing! He was a Sweet man and a Wonderful neighbor for 50 years! The family will be in our prayers!
My sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family, relatives and so many friends. I worked with Jim at The Johnson Corporation, now Kadant, for 37-1/2 years. Jim was a very kind, honest, friendly man who would help those in need. We have remained friends and communicated ever since I moved to Oregon. I last hard from him Christmas of last year. I will never forget Jim, all the great times we had together and what he taught me. Rest in Peace my friend Jim.
Judy Gilchrist-Mohney, Stayton, Oregon.
Jim was a friendly and nice man. I new him because of my involvement in the Military. He used to play Taps for the Military Funerals. His wonderful personality was contagious. My condolences to his family.
Tom Molter
I’m very sad to hear about my special uncle Rest In Peace
We sure will miss “Pops” along with a lot of other folks I’m sure. He always had a smile on his face and welcomed everyone into his home and made sure they had plenty to eat & drink. He’d make Bagna Cauda every summer for my mom when we would visit him & Jeanette in Three Rivers. He was always the life of the party ~ God Bless him!
My wonderful brother in law has gone to meet my sister. God bless you all. My he RIP.