James E. Grear

James Ellis Grear, 67, of Watervliet, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at his home. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Jim was born on March 5, 1942 in Jonesboro, IL to Ellis and Lillian (Geveden) Grear. He married Pamela Waldo on November 29, 2003 in St. Joseph. Jim was loved by his wonderful neighbors and friends. Jim will be remembered for his passion for tractors and car restorations, as well as his imagination and thirst for the next project. Jim is survived by his wife, Pam and his three sons, Michael (Susan) Grear of Lawton, MI, Gregory (Gina) Grear of Watervliet, MI and Samuel (Lori) Grear of Paw Paw, MI. He is also survived by two sisters, Sharon (Jerry) Gilbert of Ridgetop, TN and Jean (Tom) Warren of Frankfort, IN and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Patricia (Wissler) Grear.