James B. Dexheimer obituary

James B. Dexheimer, a retired Western Michigan University staff member, died at home Jan. 2. He was 60.

Dexheimer joined WMU's staff in 1992 and retired in December as coordinator of fast cataloging in University Libraries after 19 years of service to the University.

He worked with the libraries' foreign language materials, rare books and manuscripts, and archival collections. He also helped WMU put on activities associated with its participating in the Reading Together program sponsored by the Kalamazoo Public Library.

From 1977 to 1990, Dexheimer was a woodworker for the Lauck Pipe Organ Co., building and installing numerous instruments throughout southwestern Michigan.

He attended Valparaiso University, earned a bachelor's degree in English from WMU and completed the University of Virginia's Rare Book School. Dexheimer loved to read and was fascinated by languages, learning Latin, French, Spanish, Greek and German.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in WMU's Kanley Chapel. The service will be followed by a reception in Waldo Library's Meader Rare Book Room. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the University Libraries, c/o the WMU Foundation; West Michigan Cancer Center; or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.