Obituary of Frederick James Fauver

Frederick James “Jim” Fauver was born on February 20, 1943, and died peacefully surrounded by family on February 14, 2025, having spent his life as a resident of Saginaw County, Michigan. He married Vida Evelyn Fauver (née Parent) in 1981; they had three children together. He was previously married to Maxine Bernreuter (née Lee); they also had three children. 

Born and raised in Saginaw, Jim was a musician from an early age. He played trombone, trumpet, cornet, and piano, performing with the Stars of Tomorrow, the Post Office Band, and later the Saginaw Area Concert Band and the Bay Concert Band. Growing up he helped build two houses with his family in Bridgeport, Michigan, both of which became family homes. Eventually he put those skills to use building a home for Habitat for Humanity as a member of the First United Methodist Church. At 16 he began working as a bartender for the family business, the Ace of Clubs on Bay Road, before graduating from Saginaw High School in 1961. In 1963 Jim began working as a pipefitter/millwright for General Motors at the Chevrolet Grey Iron Foundry, before retirement in 2008; he was a proud member of the United Auto Workers union. His hobbies included ballroom dancing—where he met his second wife, Vida—as well as disco, cooking, gardening, boating, fishing, hunting, bowling, and snowmobiling. He was a fan of “Lonesome Dove,” “Friends,” “Cheers,” “M*A*S*H,” and anything true crime on television. Perhaps what made him happiest was being a father and grandfather; he coached soccer, was a Cub Scout leader, and enjoyed passing along his wisdom as an amateur handyman. In retirement he was a devout homebody, spending time with his grandkids, repairing braillewriter machines, and volunteering as a driver for Michigan Blood, after earning his “15 Gallon Pin” from decades of donating.  

Jim is survived by his six children: Marsha Symons and her husband, Russ, of San Antonio, Texas; Rikilynn Layher and her husband, Paul, of Frankenmuth, Michigan; James Fauver and his wife, Kellie, of Cedar Park, Texas; Jeffrey Fauver of New York, New York; Michael Fauver and his husband, Kevin Klakouski, of Brooklyn, New York; and Shelley Fewer and her husband, John, of Saginaw, Michigan; his six grandchildren: Charity Harris (née Gray), Sadie Layher, Sam Layher, James “TiJim” Fauver II, Abigayle Fewer, and William Fewer; as well as sister, Judy Drewyor, and brother, Edward Fauver Jr., and their spouses. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vida, his ex-wife, Maxine, his sister, Shannon, and his parents, Edward and Waneeta.  

In lieu of a funeral service, the family will host a private memorial. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to First Chairs Club, a non-profit organization working with Middle and High School Bands to provide children in need with instruments, and musical scholarships to music camps; firstchairsclub.org  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.