JAMES SULLIVAN WOOSLEY
James Sullivan Woosley was born at home in Palestine Township in Woodford County in El. Paso, IL 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 six of nine children. He had three brothers and five sisters. Jim admired and loved his parents very much. He loved to tell stories about fishing in the Mackinaw River near Kappa, IL 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, IL he went to work for Caterpillar during the night and would farm during the day. He also delivered milk in glass bottles in the Hudson, IL 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, IL; Hudson, IL; Felt, OK; Clarissa, MN; Wilcox, AZ; but would always come back home to Garden Grove, IA.
To this union were six 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, IA 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 four 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, IA 50854.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 25, 2023, at Jim’s residence, 31127 175th Street, Garden Grove, IA.
Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr assisted Jim’s family.
