James Bowden Jr.

James Bowden Jr., age 83, of Muskegon passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at a Muskegon Hospital. He was born June 11, 1924, in Lansing to James and Leah (Brokaw) Bowden, and he married Ann Meriam on January 29, 1949. James was a minister of Lakeside Chapel in Park Lake, MI from 1950 - 1960, South Okemos Church from 1962 - 1972, Valley Farms Baptist Church from 1980 - 1989. During this time, he was the superintendent for 17 years at Lansing Christian School, after which he ministered to college students in East Lansing through "Sonshine House". He was a member of Mona Shores Baptist Church in Muskegon, very active in Maranatha Missionary and Bible Conference and was an avid hunter. James was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Air Corp serving during WW II. Survivors include his wife Ann of 59 years; two daughters, Cathy (Dennis) Bytwerk of Mason, MI; Kay (Doug) Bytwerk of Spring Lake, MI; three sons, Kent Bowden of Lansing, MI; James (Martha) Bowden III and Calvin (Amy) Bowden both of Mason, MI; 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two sisters-in-law, Betty Bowden of Lake Odessa, MI; and Pauline Meriam of Elsie, MI. The Funeral Service for James will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 28, 2008, at Mona Shores Baptist Church, 3800 Lake Harbor Rd. in Muskegon, with Pastor Doug Bytwerk and grandson, Josh Bytwerk, officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Klaassen Family Funeral Home and also Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Lansing Christian School.