Obituary of James Southerland

Memorial Tribute James Fleet Southerland, the son of Ernest and Nellie (Daley) Southerland, was born on March 10, 1919 in Rockport, Missouri. He spent his childhood years in Rockport, and received his early education there. James parents died early in his life and he was raised by his grandmother. In 1937 he moved to Iowa and went to work for his uncle on his farm. He went on to work as a truck driver for Dahlen Transport Co. of Sanborn. On April 19, 1968, he was united in marriage to Wilma (De Young) Zegers at the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple made their home in Sheldon, and later moved to Sanborn in January of 1973. He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn, and was loved by all who knew him. James loved bowling, traveling and fishing. He and Wilma enjoyed spending the winter months in New Mexico and Florida, but spending summers in Ashby, Minnesota fishing was his favorite. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Wilma; step-daughter Margaret Davis and her husband, Bob, of Columbus, Ohio; stepson-in-law, Greg Sanders of Sheldon, Iowa; brother-in-law Jim De Young and his wife, Mary of Sanborn, Iowa; a close cousin, Charlotte Ludwig and her husband, Dwayne, of Rockwell City, Iowa; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-daughter Linda Sanders, a step-son Rodney Zegers, and a step-grandson Chad Vermeer. A Celebration of Life… James F. Southerland Born ~ March 8, 1919 Died ~ August 15, 2008 Age ~ 89 years 5 months 7 days Memorial Service 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2008 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Bob Davis Special Music Duet ~ Harriet & Jeanne Van Veldhuizen Singing ~ “Blessed Assurance” Soloist ~ Dave De Kok Singing ~ “The Love of God” Congregational Hymns Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” #147 Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” #443 Pallbearers Steve De Kok Scott De Kok Jeff De Kok Don Andringa Jim De Young Jay Raymond Honorary Pallbearers Leonard Anderson Jim Strayer Art Bosch Greg Sanders Ray Elgersma Glenn Strubbe Ushers Jim Ver Mulm Galen Beyer Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa