James Mingus, 88

James A. Mingus, age 88, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, at Sturgis Hospital.

He was born Jan. 26, 1922, in Hardin County, Ky., a son to the late James and Judith Mae (Cundiff) Mingus.

On Sept. 11, 1947, in Kankakee, Ill., he married Beverly E. Keeslar. She passed away Aug. 24, 2002.

James moved to Burr Oak in June of 1955. He was employed as a school teacher in public schools for 26 years. He taught two years at the one room Culver School in Colon and was the 6th-grade teacher in Burr Oak for 24 years. He then taught for six years at the Sturgis Christian School before retirement.

He enjoyed fishing and gardening and was an active member of the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene and had been involved as Sunday School Superintendent, Financial Secretary, Usher, and in the Nazarene Caravan Scouting Program to name a few.

Surviving are one daughter, Naomi Mingus of Ladoga, Ind.; four sons, David (Peggy) Mingus of New Hope, MN, Mark (Crystal) Mingus of Sturgis, Mich., The Rev. Paul (Sherrlyn) Mingus of Richmond, Ind., and Joel (Diane) Mingus of Burr Oak, Mich; 13 Grandchildren, Justin, Melanie (Ben) Brown, Joel Jr. (Lauren), James, Timothy (Katie), Jonathon (Crystal), Rebekah, Joanna, Rachael, Leah (Justin) Beckett, Luke, Faith, and Caleb; four great-grandchildren: Benjamin Brown, Isadora Mingus, Aubriane Brown, and Tallulah Mingus; two brothers, Robert (Jeanette) Mingus and Philip (Carole) Mingus; two sisters, Tina (James) Woodall and Phyllis (William) Harris.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly, and two brothers, Edward Dean Mingus and Roy Mingus.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5- 8 p.m. Monday, at the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene, 70031 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.

Funeral Services celebrating the life of James Mingus will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, at the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene with The Rev. Paul A. Mingus and The Rev. John Shoup, officiating.

Graveside services and interment will follow in Burr Oak Cemetery. The family suggest memorial donations be given to the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene or Sturgis Christian School. Envelopes are available at the church or the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091 who is in charge of the arrangements.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.