Escanaba - James “Wheels” VanderWeele died on December 18, 2016 at age 65 from liver cancer. James grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended St. Stephens School, Catholic Central High School, and GRJC before enlisting and serving with the US Army Military Police. He spent most of the past twenty years in the Upper Peninsula as a mechanic, addictions counselor, and husband, brother, uncle, parent, grandparent, and friend to his extended family. American Indians named him “Grey Cloud” and his passing is a grey cloud for those who knew him.

Unfailingly generous to friends and family; he was relentlessly optimistic during difficult times and never lost his sharp sense of humor. Multitalented and always learning; he could play or tune a piano as easily as he could ride or fix a motorcycle. There wasn’t a crossword puzzle he couldn’t finish or a horn he couldn’t play. He loved his dogs, cherished his bikes, and adored his grandchildren. For more reasons than we can count, he will be remembered and missed by his wife Cheri, his surviving family and relatives, his extended family of friends, and his brothers in the Monday Night Gang and Rebels.

A celebration of James’ life will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017, 1:00 PM at Rebels Club House, Hermansville, Mich.

You may light a candle in remembrance of James or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor James’s legacy of life.