James , Blanche Pauline 1911-1999

JAMES, ROTEN, VARENKAMP, SPARKS, LOCKLEAR, FRANCA, DOLL, STIELOW, CULLEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/11/2010 at 08:19:13

Blanche James, 87

Blanche Pauline Roten James was born November 29, 1911, the youngest child of Charlie and Anna Varenkamp. Her initials, B.P., were in honor of grandfather Benjamin Parr Roten who died while homesteading in Kansas. John Sparks, founder of Lynnville, was Blanche's great-great-grandfather. Blanche entered into eternal fellowship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 3:05 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 1999, at the age of 87 years, 4 months, and 14 days.

Blanche was raised on the family farm near Lynnville and attended Junction school, graduating from Lynnville High School. Following graduation she was a teacher for a brief time. She attended the Sully Congregational Church where her parents were charter members. As a young adult she joined the Lynnville Church of God, serving for many years as a Sunday school teacher.

Blanche married Lloyd Dale James on August 22, 1934. They farmed near Taintor and for over 50 years near Lynnville. The couple retired to Searsboro in 1991. Following her husband's death in 1993, Blanche resided with her son, Carl, near Searsboro until moving to Friendship Manor in September of 1998. She was an avid gardener, reader and prayer warrior with wry wit and a "hotline to Heaven"!

Those preceding Blanche in death are her parents; husband, Lloyd James; sister Elizabeth Roten James; and brother Roy Roten. Celebrants of Blanche's "graduation day" include three sons: David "Rex" James of Minot, ND, Carl Ray James, Searsboro, and Roy Dale James, Montezuma; ten grandchildren, Vicki Locklear, David James, Lisa Franca; Craig and Curtis James; Melissa Doll, Melanie Stielow, Monica Cullen, Marty and Matt James; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Lynnville Church of God on Thursday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastors Fred Buser, Lynnville Church of God and Marvin Miller, Lynnville Friends Church, officiating. Music was provided by Joyce James, organist, and vocalists Charles and Joyce James, the Roy James family and Mark Doll. Pall-beareres were Craig James, Curtis James, Marty James, Matt James, Mark Doll and Bob Franca. interment was at Woodland Cemetery, Lynnville.

Memorials may be directed to the Gideons or to the Church of God World Missions. ~ The Diamond Trail News, April 21, 1999