James Vieland Sr

James Vieland, age 74 of Chardon passed away Dec. 21, 2020 at UH Geauga Regional Hospital of COVID 19, with family by his side. Born June 24, 1946 in Cleveland to John P. and Julie (nee: Lakatos) Vieland, he had been a lifelong area resident. Jim grew up in the Buckeye neighborhood in Cleveland, where according to childhood friends, he was the “toughest kid on Buckeye”, and always stood up for the underdog; a trait he carried throughout life. He graduated from Benedictine High School in 1965, was drafted, and served with the US Army during the Vietnam War. He traveled to Vietnam with the equipment on a merchant marine ship and encountered the tail end of a typhoon, making for quite an adventure. Sergeant Vieland was a gunner in the 7th Battalion 13th Artillery. He was happy to have reconnected with his brothers in arms in recent years and enjoyed attending reunions and weekly zoom calls. Jim was blessed to return home, and married his highschool sweetheart, Joyce. They moved to Chardon, were married for 52 years and built a beautiful life together. He was a devoted family man, and a man of strong faith. He had a gift for making everyone feel special, and always knew just what to say or do. He was the first to call when help was needed. Jim was incredibly patient, and always the voice of calm and reason, even in the midst of utter chaos. He worked as a senior scheduler with ABB until his retirement. He and Joyce enjoyed traveling in their retirement, and spending time with family and friends. Jim was an avid golfer, having achieved a few holes in one and a double eagle. He was also an accomplished accordionist, having played since childhood; not everyone could turn Margaritaville or Silent Night into a polka. Along with his wife, Jim was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chardon. Aside from his wife Joyce (nee: Kulling) of Chardon, survivors include children Jennifer Vieland Artz of Fairport Harbor and James (Jessica) Vieland Jr. of Lancaster, PA; grandchildren Josiah, Greta, Simeon & Ayla Vieland. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John Vieland Jr. Due to the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic, all services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Jim’s memory to Benedictine High School, 2900 Martin Luther King Drive, Cleveland OH 44104 or St. Mary’s Church, 401 North Street, Chardon OH 44024. Arrangements are entrusted to the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes of Chardon, Painesville, Madison & Fairport Harbor. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com .