Obituary of Jim Whipple

James Russell Whipple, our father, brother, and grandpa, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at Altercare in Big Rapids. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 30^th, at 11:00 AM, at Janowicz Family Funeral Home in Remus, with Pastor Allen Petersen officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to the time of service on Saturday. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mecosta. 

Jim was born March 10, 1942, the son of Alonzo and Margaret (Russell) Whipple. He had a passion for bluegrass music, and loved attending bluegrass festivals. He was always the man in the funky hats selling 50/50 tickets. A jokester, Jim always had a joke to tell, and was an all around great handyman. 

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Scott (Vicky) Whipple, LaDonna Burgess, Peggy (Jim) VanderMaas, and Troy Whipple; step-children, Linda Kommar and Chris Zitarga; siblings, Frank Whipple, Dan (Sandy) Whipple, Sue (Jack) Nyburg, Alan Whipple, and Lori (Ron) Newcombe; brother-in-lawAlvin Schumacher;several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann in 2014; infant son, Russell, and sisters, Doris Barhitte and Rose Schumacher.