James W. Fader Sr., age 83 of Newaygo, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Monday, March 30, 2021. James was born on August 10, 1937 in Unionville, Michigan to Vern Ezra and Gertrude Elaine (Putnam) Fader and joined the United States Navy at an early age. James had worked for the Human Development Commission on Aging until his retirement and then worked assisting the Amish with logging and traveling. James also owned and operated Fader Water Well Drilling for several years. James married Sandra Suppes on November 19, 1994 and she preceded him in death on July 4, 2014. James enjoyed cooking for others, watching John Wayne movies, listening to southern gospel and old country music, playing cards, telling jokes, and taking long slow rides in the car to "hear the corn grow". He was known to many for his slow driving that would cause a parade of cars behind him wherever he went. James was also a socialite and enjoyed meeting new people and trying to figure out if they were related to him somehow. The older James got in life, his staunch German exterior softened and he beamed when he spoke of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. James is survived by his children, Ann Clement; Timothy (Angie) Fader; Ricky Fader; Mechelle (Jeff) March; Rhonda (Fred) Ahrens; James (Kelly) Fader, Jr.; Scott (Michelle) Fader; his stepchildren, Michael Gwizdala; Shellie (Randy) Smirnoff; Richard (Kristen) Gwizdala; Shannon Gwizdala; Barbie (Harley) Rich; his brothers, William (Norma) Fader; Douglas (Colleen) Fader; his sisters in laws, Mary Fader and Rita Fader; 25 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Marion Suppes; a special companion, Nancy Hazen. James was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Gertrude Fader; his brothers, Jerry Fader and Robert Fader; his grandson, Randall "Coot" Weidman; and his father-in-law, Elmer Suppes. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of God Ministry Center, White Cloud 1621 S. Evergreen White Cloud, MI 49349 with his son, Dr. James W. Fader, Jr. officiating and Military Honors by the United States Navy. Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Church of God Ministry Center, White Cloud for memorial contributions in memory of James. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Fader family online at [email protected]. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel. 231-924-0800 To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James W. Fader Sr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Celebration Of Life Church of God Ministry Center Saturday, April 10, 2021 11:00 AM 1621 S Evergreen White Cloud, MI 49349