James Robert Rowland

1944 - 2024

James Robert Rowland, 79, passed away on Nov. 23, 2024.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1944, in Coral, MI to Robert and Marian Rowland and he had an older sister, Jeanne.

After Jim graduated from Lakeview High School in 1962, he went to City Barber College in Detroit. In August 1964, he married Janet Wilber, and the couple had two sons, Tim and Tom.

Jim cut hair at Jack Myers Barbershop in Big Rapids for a few years until he purchased his own shop in Lakeview. Ten years later, he went to work for his father-in-law, who owned Wilber Trucking, hauling asphalt for Layman's Asphalt in Ludington and Reith Riley. After a few years, he started his own business, Rowland Custom Lime Spreading & Excavating. He retired when he was 65.

Throughout his career, Jim always had something going on the family farm. When his kids were growing up, he got pigs, chickens, rabbits and cows to help teach them how to work hard. He also grew asparagus and together with a friend, he built his own mechanical asparagus picker. Jim took pride in caring for his tractors and machines and could often be found tinkering in his shop.

Jim had a quiet way about him but was funny and known among family for his sayings, such as "Don't take any wooden nickels" and "The less you say, the better off you are." Jim's constant companion for 17 years was Daisy, a golden retriever who Jim swore was "prit' near human."

Jim's hobbies included golfing, bowling, doing jigsaw puzzles and word searches. He enjoyed going to the American Legion for coffee with friends, reading various area newspapers and reading books. Jim and Janet wintered in Zephyrhills, Fla. for years, and enjoyed many vacations together from Alaska to the Caribbean. He also loved attending events his grandchildren were involved in.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janet; sons Tim (Terri) of Zeeland and Tom (Julie) of Morley; four grandchildren, Nick, Natalie, Spencer and Abbey; and many cousins, nieces and nephews; sisters in law, Judy Schoenborn and Joyce Goltz, both of Morley; and brother-in-law, Tom (Claudia) Mabie of Cedar Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, mother and father-in-law Roy and Josephine Wilber and Norma Wilber and his brother-in-law, Ken Schoenborn.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at United Global Methodist Church in Stanwood, with a visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial contributions in Jim's name be made to the church. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.