James Roger Wiswell

Early on the morning of November 14th of 2024 the generous heart of James R. Wiswell beat for the very last time. Jim transitioned from this earthly life peacefully, surrounded by his family where he was greeted by his beloved wife, Jill and welcomed into heaven by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jim made the most of the 87 years he was given and will be fondly remembered by his family along with many members of the Barry County community where he worked and served throughout his adult life. He took great pride in Hastings and was grateful for the opportunity to own and operate a small business and raise his family in such a wonderful community. A dedicated and hardworking individual, the list of Jim's life-long contributions reflects his heartfelt dedication to the people and community.
Jim and Jill met early in their college years over a shared love for the University of Michigan, where they had enormous amounts of fun around rigorous academics. In later years, Jim always enjoyed a walk back to his beloved Beta house during Ann Arbor football games where he would share skeleton tales of former Go Blue "celebrations" inappropriate for young ears.
The tale of meeting Jill, however, was one he loved to tell again and again. As college boys will be boys, during U of M orientation week, Jim and his buddy formed a pact to score a hot date with a new chic every night of the week. Jim was all in! Despite his enthusiasm, his hot-date extravaganza came to a screeching halt upon meeting Jill on night #1. Her sparkling blue eyes and sheer zest for life took him out - game over!
He claims it was his "Beta-charm" that inspired Jill to transfer from Miami of Ohio to the University of Michigan so that they could complete their educations together. Jill might have had a different perspective. Regardless, an orientation week dating challenge resulted in a beautiful marriage that thrived for 64 years.
Jim was, without question, a traditionalist with an excellent sense of humor. He loved God, his family, friends, community, and country without question. And the University of Michigan. Jim positioned a flagpole in the backyard to honor the nation and his alma mater. Positioned on the rise of a hill, at the highest point in Hastings, right-smack in the middle of the living room's picture window, Jim's flagpole stood proudly. And nearly cost him his marriage.
Fortunately, Jill came to realize that a flagpole disrupting her scenic view could be put to other, more creative uses. As the story goes, Jim's flagpole has hoisted more than the Old Glory and Maize & Blue. Including, but not limited to, toilet seats, frozen suits, assorted undergarments, ginormous plastic deer, speed limit signs (sorry Sherrif), the Spice Girls and nightgowns. Honor one, honor all.
Jim was a pillar of dedication and hard work, attributes he has successfully (or so we hope) passed on to his children. It was due to Jill's unyielding support (and the support of friends) that Jim was able to maintain his small business and tirelessly pursue ways to support the community through volunteering and board memberships. Their partnership kept Barry County Lumber moving forward for many decades, employing great people from the surrounding community. Jim's work ethic touched far more than the small family he and Jill raised, and he would tell anyone who asked that God's grace made it all possible.
A love of music was central to both Jim and Jill. They were great supporters of the Hastings High School Band and Choir as they joyfully attended many musical performances. Jim loved his family's participation at the Presbyterian Church, where Jill sang in the choir, and all three kids provided music during their formative years.
His role as Granddad - Family Cheerleader, carried on for decades. Attending musical and athletic events of his grandchildren lifted him up until the end, where he most recently cheered his youngest granddaughter during Cross Country meets and basketball games. Jim was a loyal and loving father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all.
For all that Jim loved, a little-known fact about Jim, is that he loathed germs. In fact, the pandemic felt almost like a Germ-Avoidance Holiday. Finally, he was not alone in wiping down every piece of mail or grocery item and purchasing enormous flats of paper towels and hand sanitizer! Masks were the icing on the cake. At last, he was joined by germ-fearing people worldwide! Sadly, Jill, his RN wife, did not share this passion for a germ-free existence. His family is greatly relieved that he lived his entire life without a serious run-in with a germ. Free hand sanitizers will be made available at Jim's funeral.
Jim's love for his wife and family was simply unwavering. Jim and Jill, together as only children, raised their children in a home filled with everything that makes life real: laughter, lessons, mistakes, upon mistakes, forgiveness, adventure, community participation, giving back, heart-felt traditions, and a love of travel and exploration. They beat the odds by raising three kids who are not biologically related and watching them turn into real adults, for the most part. Their love for their grandchildren brought joy and hope until Jim's very last day. His children all feel they won the lottery being raised as by Jim & Jill in Hastings, MI.
Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 64 years, Jill, and is survived by his three children: daughter Laura Parker and husband Tom; son Jack Wiswell and his wife Lori; son Tom Wiswell and his wife Allison and three grandchildren, Sydney Wiswell & Steven, Brandon Wiswell, and Norah Wiswell.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Michigan, on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Visitation begins at 10 am, followed by the funeral at 11 am. A reception will take place after the funeral at The Legacy at Hastings. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Riverside Cemetery Fund and the Barry Community Foundation.
Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.