James Wilcox

Rev. James Edwin "Jim" Wilcox, Sr., 88, of Greenville, went to his "forever home" with the Lord on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2023, from his home, surrounded by his family. Born on January 28, 1935, in Langston, Jim was raised in Crystal by his parents Theresa Mary (Cannon) & Virgil Eugene Wilcox. After graduating from Crystal High School in 1953, he married Betty Lou Greenhoe on September 15, 1956, at her parents' home in Sheridan. They then raised a family in Sheridan, and he enjoyed his years of retirement in Greenville. Described as faithful to the Lord, selfless and full of integrity, Pastor Jim founded the Sheridan Assembly of God in 1981, which is still serving its members on M-66 in Sheridan. He was also an accomplished horseman, who could ride, shoe and train horses, serving as a farrier throughout Montcalm County. A self-taught musician, Pastor Jim loved to play guitar and sing songs, and was a wonderful speaker of the Lord. He was also great at quoting famous writers such as Rudyard Kipling and Edgar Allan Poe. Along with serving as a pastor and volunteering as a chaplain at the Montcalm County Jail in Stanton, he held a full-time job through the Michigan Department of Corrections, working in Ionia for 25 years, retiring at age 55. The family would like to give special thanks to the his caregivers from Elara Caring Hospice of Grand Rapids, in particular to Drew and Season. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Cathy (McGuiness) Wilcox; and a brother-in-law, Daale Maier. Pastor Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Lou Wilcox; their children, James Edwin Wilcox Jr., Susan & Bob Brundage, and Krista & Jim Lockner; a brother, Roger & Joyce Wilcox; two sisters, Janice Maier and Pamela & William Rinckey; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to join Pastor Jim's family at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2023 for regular worship at the Sheridan Assembly of God, 4010 S. Sheridan Road (M-66), Sheridan, with the service being dedicated to Pastor Jim's life, legacy, and new eternal life. Instead of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in his memory to one of Pastor Jim's favorite causes, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org/donate). at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2023 4010 S. Sheridan Road Private family services took place on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Evergreen Township Cemetery, near Sheridan, with Pastor Jerry Carlson of the Sheridan Assembly of God officiating. Pallbearers were James Wilcox III, Mitch Lockner, Jacob Brundage, Tyler Wilcox, Kellen Ledin, Todd Giger, Ryan Schlehuber and Kyle Taylor, and Keithen Ledin served as an honorary pallbearer. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Wilcox, please visit our flower store.