Oct. 14, 1933 — April 8, 2016

James “Jim” L. Pierson, 82, of Stevensville, formerly of Sister Lakes, passed away Friday, April 8, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016, at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Jim Abshagen officiating. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016, and again on Friday, April 15, from 11 until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private burial at Mission Hills Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Those wishing to share a memory of James or leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Jim was born Oct. 14, 1933 at the family home in Keeler Township to Henry and Marguerite (Myers) Pierson. He attended Dowagiac Central High School graduating with the class of 1951. He married the former Pat Deming on Sept. 9, 1953; she preceded him in death on Oct. 25, 1978. On Dec. 29, 1984 he married the former Carol Miller. Jim was a member and president of the Future Farmers of America and active in the 246 Headquarters of the Michigan National Guard for several years. Jim owned several local businesses throughout the years from P & J’s restaurant in Donker’s Plaza to the gas station at the five mile corner in Dowagiac. He enjoyed being outdoors whether it was hunting and fishing or cheering on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their sporting events.  Jim loved his family and will be greatly missed by those he left behind.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol; two daughters, Vicki (Steve) Bair of Marcellus and Ruth Ann Kegebein of Grand Blanc; step-children, Roxanne (John) Soethe of Stevensville, Charles Harttung of Berrien Springs, Beth Ann Kohlheim of Wolcottville, Indiana and Rick (Dana) Carmody of Stevensville; 18 grandchildren, Andrea (Jacob) Robinson, Alyshia (Jacob) Kinsey, Trisha (Michael) Harper, Brad Kegebein, Scott Soethe, Shawn Soethe, Michael Harttung, Sarah Harttung, Nicole Edwards, Katelyn Prillwitz, Rebecca Prillwitz, Samantha Kohlheim, Keegan Kohlheim, Aiden Kohlheim, Ryan Carmody, Leo Carmody, Oliver Carmody and Quinn Carmody; 12 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Myra Melvin, Carrilou (Randy) Gale, Theresa Jacobson and a sister in law, Donna Pierson along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pat; his brother, Ferris Pierson; brothers-in-law, George Melvin, George “Bob” (Fran) Deming, Dean Jacobson and Dale Miller; and a grandson-in-law, DeBurl Foulk.