Jim Gushwa, 79

James Edward Gushwa, age 79, of Jones, and a former longtime Sturgis and White Pigeon area resident, passed away Friday afternoon, September 1, 2023 at the Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart.

He was born July 28, 1944 in Sturgis, son of the late Fredric Leroy and Olive Dorthea (Baker) Gushwa.

Jim resided in Jones for the past 13 years. Most of his life was lived in the White Pigeon and Sturgis area where he was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1962. He furthered his education at Michigan State University where he earned an Associate Degree in Agriculture and became a loyal lifelong Spartan fan.

On August 17, 1968 he married Janet Linehan at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. She preceded him in death September 10, 2003. On October 3, 2009 he married Kristine (Kerr) Wittenberg at the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds in Centreville.

Jim was a lifelong farmer and one of the pioneering area farmers to grow seed corn. He retired in 1999 from Ross Laboratories in Sturgis following 37 years of dedicated employment in the maintenance department. For many years he was a sugarmaker, making and selling maple syrup.

He was a member of the Porter Baptist Church in Jones.

Jim was very active in 4-H serving as a leader for many years. He had served on the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board and was always willing to lend a hand whenever needed with the fair. He supported FFA and was involved in the fifth grade conservation tours. He enjoyed traveling and traveled to Alaska and Japan. Jim was always up for a good hog roast and loved cooking for large groups of people. His open kettle baked beans will be forever missed by anyone who had the good fortune of savoring a bowl. Jim had hobbies and involvements and was always working at Ross Lab and farming, but always found time for his family. If there was a sporting event or school activity you could always count on Jim being in attendance.

He is survived by his wife: Kristine; children: Karen “Kay” (David) Yearicks, II, David Gushwa, Stacie (Jeremi) Hale, Stephen (Ashley) Gushwa, Kevin Wittenburg, Brian (Samantha) Wittenberg and Sandra Kruszka; 15 grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Janet and brother: Gary Gushwa.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Sept. 8th at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, Sept. 9th at the Porter Baptist Church, 12032 Teasdale Lake St., Constantine, MI where funeral services celebrating the life of James Gushwa will begin at 11:00 A.M., Saturday. Pastor Randy Peterson will officiate. A continued time of fellowship and the sharing of a meal will follow the funeral service. A graveside committal will follow the luncheon at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Gushwa’s memory consider the St. Joseph County 4-H Youth Council, 612 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.