James R. Mulder

James R. Mulder, 86, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday June 17 at his home after a long battle with stage 4 leukemia. As he passed, he was surrounded by family, and held their hands tightly during his last hours, knowing he was dearly loved.

He was born March 11, 1939 to Marie (Price) Mulder and Jack Mulder in Benton Harbor, MI and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1957. Jim then attended Whirlpool Tech at Lake Michigan College, studying to be a draftsman.

Jim faithfully served in the Army Reserves and served as company clerk, with a seven-year commitment. His working life began at the tender age of 10 with a paper route. James worked continually until his retirement at age 77.

He started working at Modern Plastics and later moved to Muskegon and worked at Muskegon Tool Co. as a draftsman. Several years later he started his career at the world-renowned Whirlpool Corp. where he rapidly advanced from draftsman to mechanical engineer, later earning acclaim as an innovative and meticulous product designer. During his career, Jim earned seven patents for ground-breaking inventions. While regulations required him to retire formally at 65 from Whirlpool, his skills were so highly valued that he returned as a contract worker for the next 12 years, and his career at Whirlpool ultimately exceeded forty years.

In 1964 James married Patricia Marie Anderson at the Portage Prairie Church in Niles, Michigan. They were married for sixty years.

He is survived by his two sons Todd Mulder of Walnut Creek, California and Scott Mulder of Gilbert, Arizona; one grandchild Rebekka Mulder, daughter of Scott, of Vassar, Michigan, and two great grandchildren James Mulder and Willow Mulder of Vassar, Michigan. He is also survived by his nieces, Karen Mulder of Panama City Beach, Florida and Darcia Mulder of Kalamazoo, Michigan

Preceding him in death were his parents Jack and Marie Mulder and his brothers Jack Junior Mulder and Timothy Mulder both of Kalamazoo County.

His hobbies included golfing, gardening, and model railroad collecting. He especially enjoyed caring for his home’s beautiful grass lawn and flowering trees, and especially enjoyed each spring’s flowering of the gorgeous saucer magnolia he planted almost 50 years ago.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Berrien Springs Methodist Church or Fernwood Botanical Gardens.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Berrien Springs Methodist Church on Saturday June 28 at 2:00 PM.

A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church for family and friends. A private burial will take place at Galien Township Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest near his beloved wife’s parents, Ervin and Carmen Anderson.