Obituary

Official Obituary of

James Stephen Shepard

June 13, 1935 ~ May 21, 2025 (age 89)

    James Stephen Shepard of East Jordan, passed away on Wednesday May 21, 2025, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan surrounded by his family. 

    He was born on June 13, 1935, to William and Amanda Shepard in Petoskey, Michigan.

    On February 16, 1957, he married Edna Marie Nielsen.  Jim is survived by his four children, Donna Makara of Lansing, Sandi (John) Whiteford of East Jordan, Jim (Anita) Shepard of Hudsonville and Debbie (Tim) Schroeder of East Jordan; Grandchildren

    Jeremy (Brandi) Girven, Josh (Jen) Girven, Kyle (Heather) James, Patrick (Malena) Whiteford, Becki (Toby) King, Margaret (Toby) Langworthy, Mathew Whiteford, Michael (Alicia) Whiteford, Kevin (Michelle) Whiteford, Jenaye (Zach) Hughes, Andrea Chew, Sarah (Dave) Suttle, Ashlie Bennett, Pam (Nick) Fame, TJ Schroeder.  Great Grandchildren; Jourdan, Landen, Alexis, Rylan, Chyna, Wyatt, Aries, Lillie, Jeremiah, Oliver, Leo, Shayna, Brooke, Logan, Cody, Shiann, Roz, Ethan, Alley, Hunter, Parker, Alexis, Dillon, Madison, Oliver, Connor, Elizabeth, Lillie, Sadie, Richard, Amelia, Skyler, Landen; 4 Great-great Grandchildren; Payton, Violet, Oliver, Connor and Dakota; one sister-in-law, Barb (Buck) Cihak of East Jordan.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marie, on February 4, 2025; grandson, Daniel Paul Whiteford on October 16, 2005, Great-Great Grandchild, Paisley Marie on June 29, 2017and Son-In-Law John Makara on August 27, 2024.

    Jim was raised on the family farm in East Jordan where he developed his lifelong interest in farming. As a young man in high school, he joined Future Farms of America for which he received state and national recognition. He went on to Michigan State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education then on to University of Michigan and received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.  He continued with post-graduate studies at MSU, U of M and Central Michigan University.  As the Future Farmers of America instructor, he taught many of the area future farmers. He went on to Charlevoix Emmet Intermediate School District as the Director of Vocational Education, and in 1973, became the Superintendent, retiring in 1993.  He filled numerous leadership roles in the Michigan Association of School Administrators, the Michigan Association of Intermediate Administrators, the Northern Michigan Schools Legislative Association, the Northern Lower Michigan Staff Development, Teaching and Learning Consortium and the Michigan Partnership for New Education.

    Jim was a charter member of the East Jordan Lions Club along with his buddy, Don, and in 2018received the 50-year charter monarch chevon.  He enjoyed spending time with family, farming, deer camp with the boys, golfing and traveling. During retirement, Jim and Marie traveled to many parts of the country along with friends, Don and Jean Peters.

    Funeral services will be held on Tuesday May 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the Lighthouse Missionary Church, 7824. Rogers Road, East Jordan with visitation at 9:30 am until time of service. Rev. Bart Adams will officiate. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan.

    The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.

    Memorials may be given to the Shepard Family Scholarship Fund at the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, PO Box 718, East Jordan, MI 49727, or Grandvue Medical Care Facility Horizon Vue Unit, 1728 S. Peninsula Rd, East Jordan, MI 49727.