James Raymond “Jim ” DeVlaminck, Jr.
November 25th, 1971 - April 27th, 2025
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Jim's Obituary
James Raymond {Jim} DeVlaminck, Jr., 53, of Buchanan, MI, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025, at Corwell Hospital in St Joseph. Affectionately, he was also known as Jim, Jimmy D, Coach D, DeVlam, and Papa.
Jim was born on 11/25/71 in Mount Clemens, MI, the sixth of seven children to Jim and Shirley (Stewart) DeVlaminck. Jim attended New Haven Schools, where he met the love of his life, Kellie D. Heckman. They married on July 25, 1992, and made their first home together in Houghton while Jim was getting his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech. They moved down to Blackburg, VA and Jim pursued his Masters in sound and vibration.
They moved to Buchanan in 1995 when Jim got a job at Whirlpool. He dedicated 30 years to Whirlpool, making friends in many departments.
Jim and Kellie had 4 beautiful children: Kelsie, Jimmy, Jacob, and Katie. They were also blessed with 3 grandchildren, Aurora, Zelina, and Soryn. Jim spent time helping coach or coaching every sport his children were in, from Optimist soccer, Rocket football, softball, baseball, then on to middle school football, High school football, and eventually track.
Jim loved helping not only coach but he served as president of St Paul church for a time, as well as serving on the school board and helping at the school farm for plow day.
As coach Jim took a personal interest in all his “kids” he had records of everyone's stats and PR’s. He took personal interest in everyone even strangers he just met. He made friends with everyone he came in contact with and could often tell you your birthday if you had ever told him it before.
Jim is survived by his wife, Kellie D. (Heckman), daughter Kelsie (Trey) Purvis, Son Jimmy (Holly Boykin), son Jacob DeVlaminck, daughter Katie (Bobby Huckabone), granddaughter Aurora, granddaughter Zelina, and grandson Soryn. He is also survived by his mom, Shirley, and brother John (Cathy) DeVlaminck, brother Jack (Collen) DeVlaminck, brother Jerome (Sarah) DeVlaminck, Sister in law Beth DeVlaminck, and brother-in-law Jay Ladd. He is also survived by many special aunts and uncles, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Raymond DeVlaminck, Sr.; brothers, Robert and Donald DeVlaminck and sister Sheri Ladd.
His selfless attitude and big heart have touched almost everyone he has ever come in contact with. His spirit will live on in the lessons he taught and the lives he has impacted.
A celebration of life service will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Buchanan High School Football Field, 401 W. Chicago St., Buchanan. A time of visitation will take place two hours prior, from 4-6 pm. If Jim had the privilege of being your coach, we invite you to wear your uniform in his honor. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Buchanan, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA or in care of Kellie DeVlaminck for a future designation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
Jim was born on 11/25/71 in Mount Clemens, MI, the sixth of seven children to Jim and Shirley (Stewart) DeVlaminck. Jim attended New Haven Schools, where he met the love of his life, Kellie D. Heckman. They married on July 25, 1992, and made their first home together in Houghton while Jim was getting his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech. They moved down to Blackburg, VA and Jim pursued his Masters in sound and vibration.
They moved to Buchanan in 1995 when Jim got a job at Whirlpool. He dedicated 30 years to Whirlpool, making friends in many departments.
Jim and Kellie had 4 beautiful children: Kelsie, Jimmy, Jacob, and Katie. They were also blessed with 3 grandchildren, Aurora, Zelina, and Soryn. Jim spent time helping coach or coaching every sport his children were in, from Optimist soccer, Rocket football, softball, baseball, then on to middle school football, High school football, and eventually track.
Jim loved helping not only coach but he served as president of St Paul church for a time, as well as serving on the school board and helping at the school farm for plow day.
As coach Jim took a personal interest in all his “kids” he had records of everyone's stats and PR’s. He took personal interest in everyone even strangers he just met. He made friends with everyone he came in contact with and could often tell you your birthday if you had ever told him it before.
Jim is survived by his wife, Kellie D. (Heckman), daughter Kelsie (Trey) Purvis, Son Jimmy (Holly Boykin), son Jacob DeVlaminck, daughter Katie (Bobby Huckabone), granddaughter Aurora, granddaughter Zelina, and grandson Soryn. He is also survived by his mom, Shirley, and brother John (Cathy) DeVlaminck, brother Jack (Collen) DeVlaminck, brother Jerome (Sarah) DeVlaminck, Sister in law Beth DeVlaminck, and brother-in-law Jay Ladd. He is also survived by many special aunts and uncles, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Raymond DeVlaminck, Sr.; brothers, Robert and Donald DeVlaminck and sister Sheri Ladd.
His selfless attitude and big heart have touched almost everyone he has ever come in contact with. His spirit will live on in the lessons he taught and the lives he has impacted.
A celebration of life service will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Buchanan High School Football Field, 401 W. Chicago St., Buchanan. A time of visitation will take place two hours prior, from 4-6 pm. If Jim had the privilege of being your coach, we invite you to wear your uniform in his honor. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Buchanan, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA or in care of Kellie DeVlaminck for a future designation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
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