James Carper

James L. Carper, age 85, of Greenville, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012 at home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Melvin L. & Elizabeth (McMeins) Carper, he was born on December 2, 1926 in La Prairie, Illinois. On March 11th, 2000 he married Sandra (Snow) VanSyckle and together they enjoyed over 12 years of marriage. James was a proud veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville. An avid rock collector, he was also a member of the Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club of Grand Rapids, and the Wonderland Rock and Mineral Club of Vestaburg. Before moving to Greenville, Jim lived in Lakeview for over forty years and worked as an auto mechanic. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Georgia L. (Crayton) Carper on July 11, 1996; four brothers; and a son-in-law, Clell Abbott. Surviving are his wife, Sandra Carper of Greenville; five daughters, Laura (Sandy) Pritchard of Arkansas, Irene Carper of Lakeview, Paula Geister of Battle Creek, Patricia Abbott of Lakeview, and Joy Hale of Benton Harbor; three sons, Jerry (Pat) Carper of Roscommon, Michael (Peggy) Carper of Arizona, John (Shandy) Carper of White Cloud; four step-daughters, Leeann (Timothy) Johnson of Kentucky, Laura (Bradford) Siek of Greenville, Joanne (Jeffrey) Pierce of Owosso, and Janet (Squire) Taylor of Sidney; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with many dear friends and relatives. Visitation is in Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Jerry Jones, pastor of the First Congregational Church, will officiate and military honors will conclude the ceremonies. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Carper, please visit our flower store.