James Hill, 76, died at his apartment in Middle River on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 28, 2012 at First Lutheran Church, Middle River, MN with Rev. Sheila Michaels officiating. Burial will be in the Finnish Cemetery, Middle River. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday. James Clifford Hill was born on August 19, 1935 in Thief River Falls, MN to Edward and Hilda (Waisanen) Hill. They moved to Cedar Township, Marshall County when he was two. He attended country school through the 8th grade and then graduated from Middle River High School in 1953. As a young man, he worked in the Iron Range of Minnesota for a few years. He served in the US Army in the early 1960's. He earned a sharpshooter award while in the Army. He was married to Sylvia Olson in June of 1969 and to this union one daughter Karla was born. They lived in Middle River for a few years and then moved to the family farm in Cedar Township for many years. He worked at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls for over 15 years. He worked at Kiene Farms in Kennedy, MN until 1995. Jim suffered from arthritis and was disabled from it. Jim moved into the Royal Manor Apartments in 1998. In Jim's younger years, Jim played Legion Baseball. He spent many years in his lifetime hunting. In his later years, Jim enjoyed his daily drives on the bunny trail and visits with his buddies at the American Legion in Middle River, MN. He enjoyed baseball, watching his grandson Brandon play in Middle River and also watching the Minnesota Twins. He was also an avid Minnesota Viking fan. He also liked walking the trails at his brother's farm and Sunday afternoon visits at Karla and Dan's house were special. He was very proud of his grandchildren and they brought him great joy. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Middle River and the American Legion in Middle River. James is survived by his daughter Karla (Dan) Loerzel, Middle River, two grandchildren Nicole and Brandon Loerzel, one brother George (Millie) Hill, Middle River, MN, one nephew Roger (Mary) Hill, Montevideo, MN, one great niece and nephew, and several great great nieces and nephews as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by parents, one brother Arnold Hill. ORGANIST: Brianna Helm SOLOIST: Donavon Ruud SELECTIONS: Go Rest High On That Mountain, God Bless The USA, Take Me Out To The Ballgame, Our Little Town CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Battle Hymn of the Republic, How Great Thou Art, CASKETBEARERS: Jeremy Neste, Bill Olson, Jeff Kaercher, Conrad Burrell, Melvin Wappula, Raymond Dahl HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: His Cronies from the Legion MILITARY HONORS: Middle River American Legion and the Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard