Obituaries

Our hearts are shattered to say that our Lord came for James Raymond Arfstrom on June 25, 2025.

James “Jamie” was born on March 8, 1971, to the late Bonnie and Robert Arfstrom. At three years old, Jamie was diagnosed with autism – a challenging condition that renders one with myriad incapacities. Bonnie and Bob labored tirelessly to nurture Jamie into a life of social acceptability. Jamie developed into a very dear adult.

Teenagers drive at sixteen, yet the Arfstrom’s were skeptical of Jamie achieving that skill; however, with the urging of his teacher, Jan Wilson-Sillers (recently deceased), who said, “He has the right to fail”, which translated into giving him the opportunity to try. He worked hard and with assistance, passed the drivers test. Ironically, one of Jamie’s favorite activities was adventuring out in his car. He especially enjoyed seeking out antique and thrift shops, searching for old books and videos of which he accumulated thousands. His favorite movies were The Little House on the Prairie series, because they were peaceful and taught Christian values.

Jamie’s other enjoyments were meeting with male friends at McDonald’s and gathering with family listening to stories of “yore”. He astonished us with his incredible memory of recalling dates of events and even the clothing someone had worn on an occasion.

Jamie was a gentle spirit. He belonged to the Central Methodist Church where he was an usher, he also attended the New Covenant Church. When diagnosed with Lymphoma, he told his dad that it was going to be a “great adventure”.

The Arfstrom’s insisted that Jamie contribute to his community in ways suitable to him, and so he volunteered at the Methodist and Covenant churches, Hospice House, the SAHS football games, and the Waterfront Place where he lived. He worked part-time at Arfstrom Pharmacy and assisted his family with chores during the summer.

We have not included the word “love” in this eulogy as in, “Jamie loved this or Jamie loved that”, because we wanted the word to define Jamie’s most precious loves in his life, and those would be his love for his Lord, his earthly father, Bob Arfstrom, and his sister, Mary. Near his end, he said “I am not afraid to die, Dad”. So, as we write, we know Jamie is enfolded in God’s arms, as an innocent child sent to Earth to show us His mysterious ways which we should not question.

Jamie was predeceased by his mother, Bonnie Fyvie-Arfstrom; paternal grandparents, Raymond and Ida Arfstrom; maternal grandparents, Dr. James and Vesta Fyvie; aunts and husbands, Virginia and Leonard Tafelsky, Donna and John Williams; and his cousin, Robbie Detwiler.

Surviving Jamie are his father, Robert Arfstrom; sister, Mary Arfstrom; angel caretaker, Marla Nayback; and dear friend, Sharyn. He is also leaving behind cousins, Michelle, Steven, Deborah; and second cousins, Jennifer, Kelly, Lindsey, Aaron, Carly, and Erica. He also leaves many special friends.

Services for Jamie will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church on Spruce Street. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be given in Jamie’s honor to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.