James M. Snelling

FUNERAL HOME

Bachman Hebble Funeral Service

223 Bedford Rd N

Battle Creek, Michigan

James Snelling Obituary

James M. Snelling James M. Snelling passed to his rest Thursday, May 19, 2011. He will be missed by his wife, JoAnne (Wrate) Snelling, his children: Susan Kohltfarber, Sandy Whetmore, and Mike Snelling; his grandchildren: Jim Whetmore, Christine Penguino, Becky Whetmore, John Whetmore, Samantha Snelling, Rachel Snelling, and Jesse Snelling; his great-grandson: Jax Penguino; as well as many other family and friends. Jim was born August 29, 1930, in Paducah, Kentucky to John William and Johnnie Mae (Peeples) Snelling. He is survived by his aunt, Nellie Johnson, and sisters Helen Walls Elkin and Nell Yancy. He was preceded in death by a sister, Katie Miller, and brothers Don and Paul Snelling. Jim was married to JoAnne Wrate July 29, 1951, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He served as a medical corpsman with the U. S. Army in France 1951-1953. He attended the Urbandale Seventh-day Adventist Church and worked for Smith-Hammond Piping Company in Battle Creek, MI. Jim enjoyed fishing, bird-watching, hunting, studying nature, photography, singing, playing the guitar, beekeeping, traveling, and spending time with family. For many years Jim was an enthusiastic tour guide; sharing stories about historic Battle Creek sites and Adventist pioneers with visitors from all over the world. Jim's unique ministry sharing the wonders of God's creation with boys and girls across Michigan as "Uncle Jim" was expanded in 2000 when he was invited to host the nature segments of Three Angels Broadcasting Network's "Kids' Time" program as "Ranger Jim." He is loved by children across the globe and remembered for his closing, "Don't forget to tell Jesus you love Him, because He really does love you!" A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 30, 2011 at Urbandale Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to KidsTime - 3ABN, PO Box 220, West Frankfort, IL 62896 . Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com

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Published by Battle Creek Enquirer on May 22, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for James Snelling

11 Entries

Susan Marihugh

May 29, 2011

Dear JoAnne and family I just heard through my son Daniel Wrate that our Uncle Jim passed away. My Condolences to all of you. Will keep you in my prayers. Bless all of you, it has been a pleasure knowing you and Jim when I was married to Lonnie. I really enjoyed when Jim would hear a bird and tell me what it was, I loved that about him. He always made me smile whenever I heard his name.
Take care thinking of you at this time in need. Susan (Wrate) Marihugh

Lori Wood

May 25, 2011

Dear Cousins, sorry for the loss a a great man. I have so many fond memories of family get togethers growing up, and many great pictures that Jim took of all of the family. He will be missed greatly. Sorry that I am unable to come home, but my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.

JoAnn Young

May 24, 2011

Aunt JoAnne, Susan, Sandy, Mike and all of your families, I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Jim will live in my heart forever. I love you all.

Agnes Oberth

May 24, 2011

Dear JoAnne and family. I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. My granddaughters have fond memories of him. They loved his enthusiasm for birds, nature, rocks..so many things. I enjoyed him showing us his "rock" paintings. He will be missed.

Agnes

Christine & Erik Vetne

May 23, 2011

We are surprized to see the passing of Jim, or should I say Ranger Jim, as we just saw him on 3 ABN last week. We will never forget the telling story of the brick from the Dime Taberncle up at Camp AuSable a few years ago. I believe the regular speaker was unable to come and Jim filled in and kept us spell bound for a inspirational evening. He was a very special man, and will be long remembered.
Christine and Erik Vetne

Virginia Kane

May 23, 2011

Dear Joanne, Susan, Sandy, Mike and your families. My, how we will miss Jim. Seems he is just a major part of EVERYONE's life!! We love you all and sending a hug for each of you. (I'd like to add a line in here from Ken Kane also. He is in a nursing home and when I told him about Jim he said "That makes me sad!!") Much love and sympathy. Bob & Virginia Kane

Gene & Carolyn McClellan

May 23, 2011

I hope to always remember his "Don't forget to tell Jesus you love Him because He really does love you." I take such comfort from those words. May you be comforted now knowing that good-byes here are not forever. People who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time. He will be greatly missed until the moment Jesus comes. In God's Love, Gene & Carolyn McClellan

May 22, 2011

Dear Joanne and family; We are so shocked to learn of Jim's death. He will be greatly missed. His contribution to our youth and their understanding of nature and God's working were great gifts and we remember him with love and affection.
You are in our prayers. Joyce and Lee Wilson

Ms. Janice Bradley

May 22, 2011

To the Snelling Family. Jim was like Family. Growing up my Family always talked about the Snelling Family. My Dad always had good things to say about Jim and his Family. He will be missed not only by your Family, but by the Bradley Family also.

Darlene Bradley/Robertson

May 22, 2011

To the Snelling family. So many good things that I can say about Jim and the family. As a child growing up my Dad would bring us out to the farm we had so much fun with the kids and animals and he taught us how to make icecream. Your father and my father were like brothers, Dad talked about Jim all the time, I hadn't seen your Dad nor Mom in about 40 years, and one day they showed up at our family reunion, what a reunion that was. May God bless you all at this hour, and I know you will have wonderful memories of your Dad, I know I will, although we were a black family your family treated us with love and respect. The Lee Bradley Family blesses you.

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