James Wilder

James Wilder Jr., 77, of Dowagiac, MI passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at The Timbers of Cass County. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Calvary Bible Church, 27032 Marcellus Highway, Dowagiac, Michigan with Pastors Ben & Lonny Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. Friends may visit from 12:00 P.M. until 1:00 P.M., Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Bible Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. James was born March 18, 1943 in Jasper, TN to James & Violet (Scissom) Wilder Sr. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1961. On August 29, 1959 he married Katherine “Kate” Carpenter in Dowagiac. He attended Grace Christian College where he received his bachelors in 1990. James was the Manager at Harding’s Market for many years. He also enjoyed substitute teaching. James enjoyed garage selling, dumpster diving and working with youth at the church. James is survived by his wife Katherine Wilder; daughter Doreen (Kevin) Murphy; son Stacey (Tamara) Wilder; grandchildren Matt (Rachel) Wilder, Shelly (Lance) Carter, Gabe (Lexi) Wilder, Andrew (Linnea) Murphy, Leslie (Jonathan Robinson) Wilder, Caleb (Kennedy) Wilder, Seth Wilder, Nathan (Jessica) Wilder, Katie (Leon) Dayfield and Jacob Wilder; 9 great-grandchildren; step brothers and sisters Henrietta, Betty, Peggy, Sonny, Faye, Buster, and Sherry. James was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Flora Wilder, son Nathan Wilder, daughter-in-law Shelly Wilder and brother Charles Wilder.