Jim Lillie, age 79, of Lowell, MI, passed away on January 21, 2026.
Jim was born on April 26, 1946, in Grand Rapids, MI to Harold and Helen Lillie. Jim was a beloved member of his community and was well known and loved by all who knew him. Jim began his career in chemical plating sales before eventually beginning his own excavation company, Lillie Digging and Dozing, in 1983. Jim started his company with only a brush hog and tractor and expanded into a company that was widely known and respected for not only the work he did but also for the friendly and reliable man behind the wheel of the dump truck. Jim still enjoyed “playing in the dirt” at 79 years old and was eagerly looking forward to spring.
Jim was well known for his dedication to his business, his love of the Chicago Bears and black licorice, hunting and fishing, and making frequent and numerous phone calls to his family and friends. Jim loved getting to watch his grandchildren play sports, his weekly Saturday morning breakfast with good friends at Cannonsburg and traveling out west with Carol.
Jim is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 59 years; his two sons, Mike (Jennifer) Lillie and Jeff (Kerri) Lillie; his younger brother, Jerry Lillie; his grandchildren, Jasmine (Jeff) Schmitt, Jordan (Reed) Stormzand, Isabel Lillie (Trevor VanDyke), Cole Lillie, and Megan Lillie; and his great-grandchildren, Landon and Luca Schmitt and Henry Stormzand. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Helen Lillie.
Family will greet friends and relatives from 4-7PM on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Roth-Gerst Funeral Home, 305 N. Hudson St., Lowell, Michigan, 49331. Funeral service will take place at 11AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4351 Parnell Ave. NE, Ada, Michigan 49301, Fr. Dominic Couturier officiating. There will be a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Versiti Blood Center of Michigan and to consider being an organ donor. Jim was a dedicated and regular blood donor.
Jim will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him. As Jim would say, “catch ya”.
5 Responses
To Carol and the whole family I send condolences and know that your many happy memories will help comfort you. He was a very loved man. Roger Hurley
Please accept my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss. Will pray for you and the family. Lo ve Joan Link
Jim was a mentor , friend and an overall fantastic human being. Always willing to help me when I needed it. Thoughts and prayers to his family. I’ll miss you Jim
My heart-felt condolences go out to the family of Jim Lillie and the community of Lowell. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim for 25 years during my time with Kent County Health Department. Jim was one of the fine excavators I worked with and was a very hard worker that could set the standards for generations to follow. He was a stand up person who took great pride in his work and benefited countless clients. Jim was also a very kind person and I appreciated the “calming” demeanor he maintained during my visits to his job sites — oft accompanied by his dog. I was amazed that at 79, that he looked forward to the upcoming spring so he could work some more. Many blessings on the Lillie family and for Jim, “Rest in peace buddy. God will show you where to dig next…”
Our sincere condolences for the loss of Jim Sending prayers to the family and God Bless you. John & Barbara