James A. Fairchild, age 89 of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, July 9th, 2010 at the Three Rivers Health Hospital. He was born on the family farm in Florence Twp, MI on April 6, 1921,  the son of Ernest and Florence M. (Kelley) Fairchild. On May 20, 1948 he married Thelma Weber at the Centreville Presbyterian Church.
Jim worked and operated the family farm until he retired in 1985. He also worked at Eley Funeral Homes for 15 years, and at Three Rivers Hospital as an attendant. Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville where he worked at one time or another on each board. He served on the Lockport Twp. Board  for 22 yrs, 13 as its' treasurer, the Lockport-Fabius Park Fire Board  for 17 yrs,  and the Agricultural Stabilization Committee  for more than 20 yrs. Jim was a St. Joseph Farm Bureau Lifetime member, Jr. Farm Bureau and St. Joseph Co. 4-H Leader. Jim also served on the Govenor G. Mennon Williams Agricultural Advisory Board.
Surviving Jim are his wife Thelma Fairchild, daughters  Carla  Jean (Will) McDonald of Bennettsville SC, Louann (Lee) Bitely of Bitely, MI, son Charles Fairchild of Sturgis, 4 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and sister Lola Musser, Portage.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kathleen Fairchild.
Relatives and friends will be received Monday from 5 - 8pm at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville where Religious Services will be held at 11 am Tuesday, with Pastor Marilyn Schlimgen, First Congregational United Church of Christ Constantine officiating.  Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph County 4-H or Centreville FFA.