James R. Biewer's Obituary
With the sound of geese flying over the pond as the sun rose, God called Jim Biewer home. He passed away peacefully on the morning of March 8 surrounded by his family, ending his battle with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Jim was born on November 9th, 1958, in St. Clair to the late Fred and Martha Biewer. On September 6th, 1980, he married his high school sweetheart and life-long love, Susan Goddard, at the home of his parents along the St. Clair River.
At a young age Jim began working for the family business, John A. Biewer Sporting Goods, in Marysville. After a 30-year career in the wholesale sporting goods industry, he transitioned to banking as a Mortgage Loan Officer in St. Clair where he helped people realize their dream of home ownership for 20 years.
Jim lived his priorities of God, family, friends, and community. He was the longest-serving member of the East China School Board retiring after 23 years in 2019. He held memberships in Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever and was a lifetime member of St. Clair Hunt and Fish and Southeastern Michigan Conservation Clubs. He was an active fundraiser for both Fishing Forever and Quality Deer Management Association.
Steadfast in his faith, Jim was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Clair serving as a church elder for many years. He was instrumental in the planning and opening of the church’s pre-school which was very close to his heart.
Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a profound love and respect for the outdoors and sought to preserve the beauty of God’s creation. The love he had for his family, however, was unparalleled. He enjoyed spending time with them especially during trips to Maine and weekends at the cottage in the St. Clair Flats. His thoughtful presence and generous heart will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Biewer; children, James R. Biewer II, Michelle (Marcus) Biewer-Smetka and Kelsey (David) Gannon; grandchildren, Boston, Kalan and Beckett; brother Scott (Cindy) Biewer, many nieces and nephews, and his dog Culter.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, and sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Mark Van Hecke.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 11:00 am at Young’s Colonial Chapel in St. Clair. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 14 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marine City Scholarship Foundation or Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice.
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