James Van Poppel

James Van Poppel

James "Jim" J. Van Poppel, age 82, of Napoleon, Ohio went to his heavenly home on March 13, 2023. His mind and body are no longer constrained by the effects of Parkinson's disease. Jim was born on February 1, 1941 in Hamler, Ohio the son of Angeline Schippers and Henry Van Poppel, Sr. both of whom are deceased. He is also preceded in death by his sisters, Annie (Max) Miller, Susan (Bill) Latta, Mary (Ken) Klear; and brother, Hank (Jan) Van Poppel. He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Van Poppel of Chardon, Ohio, Evelyn (Vern) Good of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Kathy (Carl) Sanniti of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and his brother, Robert Van Poppel of Whispering Pines, N.C.

He was raised on a farm where he learned the importance of family and hard work. He was a graduate of Hamler High School in 1957 and soon after obtained a mechanical certificate from a trade school in St. Louis. Jim could fix just about anything, and he excelled in many of the trades like welding and woodworking. He started and sold two successful local companies: J & C Repair in Napoleon and Fulton County Processing in Delta.

He married Emma "Cookie" Morris on July 13, 1963, in New Bavaria, Ohio. They had four children, Barb (Mike) Schudel of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Patty (Randy) Luther of Marysville, Ohio, Angela (Rob) Schermerhorn of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Joe Van Poppel of Napoleon, Michigan. In addition, there are eleven grandchildren whom he loved to call teekas, Joshua Schudel, Sarah Schudel, Isaac Luther, Matthew Schudel, Grace Luther, Henry Luther, Emme Van Poppel, Holden Van Poppel, Rylan Schermerhorn, Elle Van Poppel, and Bryson Schermerhorn.

As hobbies, Jim enjoyed woodworking, flying, and giving new life to old Willys Jeeps. He especially loved spending time with family and friends at the cabin in Michigan. Many a day was spent riding 4-wheelers and playing bocce ball.

Jim was a child of God and a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Napoleon. Friends and family will be received at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home in Napoleon, Ohio on Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon, Ohio. A private interment will take place at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org) and the Ridgeville Township Fire Department. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.rodenbergergray.com.