James Schroeder passed away on October 16, 2025, at 101 years of age, just two weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. A memorial service will be offered by Father Michael at Saint James Catholic Church, 7878 E. Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, Michigan. There will be visitation at 10:00 AM, a mass at 11:00 AM, Honors Detail at 12 noon, and a luncheon following. His cremains will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
James Charles Schroeder was born November 1, 1923, to Albert and Clara Schroeder. Jim grew up on the southwest side of Detroit with his sister, Eleanor. At the young age of 12, he worked with a peddler selling fruits and vegetables guiding a horse-drawn wagon through the streets of Detroit and earned 25 cents a day. He endured the Great Depression of 1929-1939. Through high school he worked at a drugstore, and later with various trucklines, and auto companies.
After graduating from Western High School in 1941, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy. During WWII, he was assigned to the USS Haggard (DD 555) destroyer and served with the Pacific fleet. He attained the rating of Gunner’s Mate 2nd class. His ship battled Japanese submarines, destroyers, and aircraft, while surviving three typhoons before being put out of commission by a Kamikaze plane. The Haggard was awarded twelve battle stars for its seven engagements in the Central Pacific, the Philippines, and Japan.
After the war, Jim worked in the Penobscot building for Wayne County where he met Mildred Pyacek. They were married in 1960 and moved to Farmington Hills. He became a father in 1962 with the birth of their daughter, Donna. He was employed by General Motors, Pontiac Division as a Rate Analyst. After retirement, Jim and Millie resided in Carlsbad, California for a few years. Upon returning to Michigan in 1989, he built a home in Houghton Lake. He became an active member of Saint James Parish and the Roscommon VFW Post 4159.
Jim had a pleasant greeting for everyone and delighted in telling “gotcha” stories. He liked taking family vacations camping across the country. He enjoyed canoeing, swimming, playing tennis, card games with friends, watching western movies, and spending time with his grandsons telling them stories of his youth. He was lovingly called Popeye by his grandsons, since he was a sailor man. Jim was a great dad and grandfather, always there with support and encouragement. He was kind, thoughtful, accepting, honest, loyal, generous, responsible, and patriotic. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Eleanor (Loveday), many friends, and shipmates. He is survived by his wife Millie, his daughter, Donna Monement of Brighton, his three grandsons, Michael, Cameron and Kyle, his great-grandson, Nash, and his niece, Jane Ryan.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.
