James Woosley

James Sullivan Woosley was born at home in Palestine Township in Woodford County in El. Paso, Illinois on September 28, 1933, to William McKinley Woosley and Hildred Ann (Talley) Woosley. James was known as Jim to everyone and came from a large family and was number 6 of 9 children. He had 3 brothers and 5 sisters. Jim admired and loved his parents very much. He loved to tell stories about fishing in the Mackinaw River near Kappa, Illinois and would pretend they were cowboys and Indians and never could pass up a chance to tease his sisters and brothers. Jim was always the one they would call on if any of them needed help and he loved his family unconditionally.

As a young man, Jim never shied away from hard work. When he graduated from high school in El Paso, Illinois he went to work for Caterpillar during the night and would farm during the day. He also delivered milk in the glass bottles in the Hudson, Illinois area as well.

On February 11, 1955, Jim married the love of his life and childhood friend Marilyn Lavern Denler. Jim and Marilyn went on many adventures together and lived and farmed in many different states through the years such as: Kappa, Illinois; Hudson, Illinois; Felt, Oklahoma; Clarissa, Minnesota; Wilcox, Arizona; but would always come back home to Garden Grove, Iowa.

To this union were 6 children: Carolyn Woosley, Cindy Jean (John) Anderson, Shari Renae’ (Dan) Brimm, Debbie Jayne Poore, Brenda Sue (Carrol) Adams, and James McKinley (Liane) Woosley.

Jim loved to play his guitar for his children and grandchildren and they would all sing and dance together. Jim was a member of the Masonic Fidelity Lodge No. 228 in Humeston, Iowa for over 50 years. The brotherhood of the Mason’s gave Jim much pride and enjoyment and was always ready to help a fellow brother.

Jim passed away at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr on March 8, 2023. He was preceded in death by his mother Hildred Ann Talley Woosley; father William McKinley Woosley; wife Marilyn LaVern Denler Woosley; infant daughter Carolyn Woosley; siblings and in-laws Lettie Mae (Clarence) Farrell, Lyle Richard (Margie) Woosley, Viola Arminta (Roger) Denler-Altes, Joseph Willson (Mary) Woosley, Sandra (Schmidt) Woosley, Leif Hoyland, Martha June Keehma, and Roger Burmaster.

Left to cherish his memory are his 4 daughters and one son; sisters Ann Marie Burmaster and Kathleen Joan Hoyland; brother William Roosevelt Woosley,; grandchildren Kristina Pollock, Jared (Brooke) Richman, Jill (Derrick) Gosseen, Daniel (Kimberly) Brimm, Matthew, Scott and Kristen Poore, Brittney (Kyle) Thelen, Sullivan, Lincoln, and Griffin Woosley; and 16 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to please donate to: EveryStep Hospice of Mount Ayr, 107 South Fillmore Street, Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., March 25, 2023 at Jim’s residence, 31127 175th Street, Garden Grove, Iowa.