Dr. James R. Dehlin, 91, of Gladstone passed away on Thursday, August 27th, 2009, at the Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette.

Jim was born March 24th, 1918 in Manistique, the son of Gustaf Edward Dehlin and the former Joan Ellen Barrett and was raised in Gladstone. After graduating Gladstone High School in 1936, he began training at the General Motors Technical College in Flint, MI. Shortly after being employed for General Motors, Jim rethought his career options and returned to the Upper Peninsula and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. From Northern, he enrolled in the pharmacy program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he graduated in 1941 as a registered pharmacist. He was united in marriage to the former Pauline C. “Polly” Arduin on July 19th, 1941. and “Polly” passed away on January 7th, 1977after a lengthy illness.

After completing his pharmacy training, Jim Dehlin decided to extend his education by studying medicine at U of M School of Medicine and he graduated from there in 1944.

When he completed his residency with the Hurley Hospital in Flint, Jim served as a surgical officer in 1946 with the U.S. Army during the American Occupation of Germany. Discharged from the military a year later, he returned to Gladstone where he set up a medical practice with Dr. Charles Kee. After Dr. Kee relocated to California he was joined in his practice by Dr. Carl J. Olson and later additionally by Dr. George Maniaci. Dr. Maniaci died in 1974 and Dr. Olson retired to Florida in 1984.

Dr. Dehlin, however, effectively continued his medical practice until a year ago. In his 60 years of practice, he is credited with delivering more than 3000 babies and was always known to be ready to assist in any medical emergency at any time of the day, week, or week-end, including house-calls for many years. His practice of medicine was so central to his being.

Jim Dehlin was always interested in the Gladstone School System and volunteered his medical expertise in all realms of school sports activities. His interest also extended to the Boys Scout Troop #466 and they regularly met in the basement of the medical clinic in Gladstone. Four of Jim’s sons are credited with achieving Eagle Scout status.

Jim was a member of All Saints Church, the Knights of Columbus Brother Felix Council where he was a 4th Degree Knight, and a longtime member of the board of directors of Baybank. During his professional life, Jim received numerous achievement awards and citations. Some of the significant awards include the “2004 Distinguished Humanitarian Award” presented by   the University of Michigan Medical Alumni Society, the “2009 Plessner Award” presented by the Michigan State Medical Society, and the “Family Physician of the Year” presented by the Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Family Physicians.

Jim’s was always very proud of his family and they were extremely important to him. He enjoyed many years of traveling with them to numerous areas of the country and overseas. A lot of fond memories were also developed at the family “camp.”

In addition to his wife, Polly, Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Alice Altese in 2003, and also by a brother, “Chuck” Dehlin who resided in Flushing, Michigan.

Dr. James Dehlin’s survivors include:

9 Children- Mary Ann (Kent) Reynolds of Elk Lake, MI; Jim (Debbie) Dehlin of Gladstone; Joe (Genette) Dehlin of Gladstone; Tom (Marla) Dehlin of Marquette; John (Cathy Dehlin of Marquette; Jeanne (Brian) Lalich of St. Bonifacius, Minnesota; Sandy (Norm) Pesonen of Marquette; Chris (Jen) Dehlin of Marquette; Bill Dehlin of Winter Park, Colorado

22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The family of Dr. James R. Dehlin will receive friends on Monday at All Saints Church in Gladstone from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Monday at All Saints Church with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the church parish hall. Burial will be in Gardens of Rest Cemetery; Wells. The Dehlin family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the “Gladstone Schools Education Fund” c/o Brady Downey, principal, 2100 Hwy M-35; Gladstone, MI 49837.