James Elliott Searles

James Elliott Searles, age 83, of Portage passed away August 17, 2021. He was born May 14, 1938 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late George and Wanda (Kristalyn) Searles.

Jim was a 1957 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and worked at Upjohn for 36 years before retiring in 1995. During school, he was very athletic, participating in football, baseball, and wrestling. He enjoyed golfing and bowling, securing two holes-in-one and two 300 games during his lifetime. Jim worked ten years at Angels Crossing Golf Club as a ranger and starter; he loved the time he was able to spend with other league golfers. He held memberships at both Milham Park Golf Club and Eastern Hills Golf Course. While working at Upjohn, he also served as a coach for the women's softball team. Jim was a very proud grandfather, and his family meant everything to him. He also loved spending time at his second home at Terra Ceia Manor in Palmetto and socializing with his many friends there.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lynn A. (Williams) Searles; daughters, Karen (Steve) Graham and Valerie (Tim) Johnson; stepdaughters, Koni Sosinski and Kathi (Matt) Hanna; grandchildren, Greg (Kristin) Graham, Kally Graham, Aaron Wooden, Lauren Orbeck, Brandi (Ryan) Potter, Erik, and Wil Hanna; brothers, Warren D. (Charlotte) Searles and Paul C. (Dawn) Searles; as well as many nieces and a nephew.

A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 6-8:00pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 411 E Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49002. Jim will be laid to rest privately in Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The family would like to thank those at Bronson ER and those on the 4th Floor General Medical Unit for all the care they gave Jim.

Please visit Jim's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com