Birth date: Jun 22, 1929 Death date: Feb 23, 2019
James "Jim" C. Schwass aged 89 of Scottville went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Jim was born June 22, 1929 in Ludington, MI the son of Carl and Dyveka Schwass and raised on the family farm in River Read Obituary
Jim & I were friends for the entire 89 years of his life and mine. I had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks each year at the farm and was expected to channel our play into work on the farm. I even got to help clean the fox pens of excrement. We were pretty good at flicking the turds into a bucket and then taking them to the pit to empty. We had our picture taken following Grampa Johnson with various size wheelbarrows to haul ice from the ice house to the iceboxes. Riding one the draft horses was an experience because they were so broad of back, our legs were just dangling. To be there at threshing time. A three horse hitch to draw the binder, lots of friends wagons and horses to bring the grain to the threshing machine, the large, steel wheel tractor that hauled the threshing machine and provided the power for the open belt drive. My Dad, who had a dust allergy, offered to be in the barn to help direct the straw without telling anyone that he had a dust mask. The fantastic lunch that Gramma Johnson, Deda, and others put on for the threshing gang. The large wooden matches that were used to light the Coleman gas lantern above the kitchen table when we came home late and it was really dark with no lights. A house with no electricity but had running water by the use of the hydraulic ram water supply that ran from the house, to the cow barn, to the horse barn, to the chicken house, and to the dry pasture to the south. The opportunity to give 100 strokes to the rain water cistern pump each day. We brought my bike with us and Jim & I would ride the cow trails down the slopes to the creek and also visit friends to put on a "circus" by, so called, trick riding. My first chance to ski when we fastened straps to barrel staves and felt like we were really skilled in skiing. We were "Best Man" for each other and continued our friendship. At their wedding in Caledonia the wedding cake had slipped in transportation and Carilon got some powdered sugar and made a frosting to repair the cake before the reception. Jim was among the first to call Carilon, Mrs Carr, and she didn't answer.
Your Dad was so loving and kind. Every time I saw him he had a smile on his face. We know he left quite a legacy for you all and I would say one of the biggest and most important things was the way he loved your mother. They are together finally and the love he showed his family will be carried on through generations. You all have such wonderful memories with a family that grew up in love by a mom and dad that loved you dearly. Hold onto the memories that you have are forever yours and no one can take those from you. God bless you all and God bless your dad. 💕
Love Lisa and Bob Franklin
Deepest Sympathies to the family of Jim Schwass, especially Marcie & Arlen McCloskey of Scottville.
