Rev. James Osawabine

OSAWABINE, REV. JAMES T., age 80, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020, at his home. Funeral Services for James will take place on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 1 p.m. at Clark Family Funeral Chapel with Rev. Doyle Perry officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will immediately follow at Woodland Cemetery. A luncheon will take place in Reflections Reception Center after burial. Memorial contributions may be made to the Osawabine family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel. James was born March 22, 1939, in Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada, the son of John and Agatha (Recollect) Osawabine. He was an evangelist who traveled extensively throughout Ontario. James was also a very talented diesel mechanic. He married Celia Hinmon on May 7, 1977. James was a proud member of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory Band of Indians and had deep roots in the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe community. He loved his family, especially his grandkids and coaching his kids little league baseball teams when they were young. In his younger years, James was a very skilled hockey player. He loved all sports, but hockey remained his favorite. James also enjoyed traveling, reading, singing, and sharing his testimony. James is survived by his wife Celia Osawabine; children: Sandra Jackson (Robert Francis, Jr.), James G. Osawabine, Amos Jackson (Barbara Dayson), Christina Osawabine, Faith Osawabine, Jonah Osawabine (Cecelia Cooper), all of Mt. Pleasant; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers Alfonse “Leonard” Osawabine of Toronto, Patrick Niganabe of Mississauga, Mike Niganabe of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; sisters Margaret Renauld of Ottawa, MaryJane Ross of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. James was preceded in death by his parents; sons Joel Osawabine and Bruce Osawabine; grandson Wm. “Alex” Osawabine; and great-grandson Andres Makwa-Nisidotam Pelcher.