James Aaron “Jim” Siler, 61, of Bronson, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 4, 2021 at North Athens Baptist Church, 2020 M Drive South, Athens, with Pastor Mark Behr officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service, beginning at 11:30 AM at the church on Monday.
Jim was born January 10, 1959 in Coldwater, Michigan to Olen and Mary Ellen (Schumacher) Siler. He had three brothers, Garry, Terry and John. Jim graduated from Bronson High School in June 1977. He had three children in his first marriage to Paula Howe: April, Jamie and Aaron. On July 7, 2007, Jim married Rose Chard. He always had his priorities in order: God first, spouse second, and God would work the rest out as He saw fit. In Jim’s marriage to Rose, he added Amber Byers and Cassie Byers to his family of children. In September 2010, Jim and Rose added a Beagle baby to their family, Rosy, who is missing her daddy dearly.
Jim worked for Midwest Communications (WTVB and then WNWN Win 98.5) for 25 years. He spent his life making music and/or making sure people had music and sound for events by providing music, sound equipment and/or installation of the same. Jim played in several bands, in and past high school, ending with New Image, a Christian Contemporary Music group.
Jim provided sound/music for several plays at The Sauk in Jonesville. His favorite event each year was assisting Jennifer Nagel with the Out of the Darkness Walk to help stop suicides; as well as handling sound for Polish Festivals in his hometown of Bronson. Jim was the Worship Leader of Praise at the Bronson Congregational Church, along with Co-Youth Director with his wife, Rose, of a youth group at the church, Wednesday Youth in Christ, for several years. He also assisted Trinity Bird in several high school plays. In each activity involving youth, Jim added more children to his life, always there with a word of encouragement and showing God’s love for him to each one that God put in his path.
In March 2017, Jim began having serious medical issues. His faith in God grew as he saw the Hand of God in each crisis. The bond between Jim and Rose grew as they faced each mountain that came their way, together, growing closer each day. On December 21, 2020, Jim began to fight the battle for his life that ended on December 28, 2020, when Jim went to be with his Lord. He fought a good fight, with courage and strength from God, and is now at peace with his Lord.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rose; his brothers, Garry (Mary Jo) Siler of Sturgis, Terry (Joni) Siler and John (Patsy) Siler, both of Bronson; his children, April (Adam) Wilkinson of Benton, LA, Jamie Siler of Coldwater, Aaron (Sierra) Siler of LaGrange, IN, Amber Byers of Kalamazoo and Cassie Byers of Sturgis; his grandchildren; nieces and nephews; all he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial donations are suggested to The Gideons International, Battle Creek South Camp, PO Box 223, Battle Creek, MI 49016.
Please visit www.lighthousefuneral.com to share memories, pictures and videos with the family.
Funeral arrangements have been handled by Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation, Union City.
That is my grandpa