James Alan Rathbun
Age 53, of Fishers, IN, passed away April 30, 2018. He was born on March 10, 1965 in Lansing, MI, youngest son of Gene and Lenora Jordan Rathbun.
Jim was a 1983 graduate of Grand Ledge High School. He graduated in 1987 from Indiana Wesleyan University with a BS degree in business and a minor in Christian Ministries. During his four years at IWU (then Marion College), he played on the basketball team.
Recently, Jim was working as a Fund Developer with Cru Global at Campus Crusade for Christ. Prior employment including at the Wesleyan Church World Headquarters, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Promise Keepers and Croswell Wesleyan Church, as well as Kingdom Building Ministries (now Forge) and the Metro Wesleyan Church.
As a loyal and loving servant of God, Jim selflessly loved his family and everyone around him with encouragement and generosity, walking along side them in faith and sharing the good news of Jesus to everyone he could. He was a dedicated supporter of his children’s activities whether it be sports, school or more importantly, their spiritual lives. Jim treasured his wife, Rachel and was lovingly devoted to their marriage of thirty years.
Jim had a passion to spread the gospel to many places around the world; and was able to raise funds for several different ministries to accomplish that goal. Jim was known to perform random acts of kindness to friends and strangers, doing his best to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Strong faith, trust and love for his Savior was evident in Jim’s life. He was a prayer warrior, often praying scripture verses over people and sending them as text messages. Everyone Jim met was profoundly touched, he will truly and sincerely be missed by all.
Jim will forever be remembered by his wife and best friend, Rachel; four precious children, Alyssa, James, Jeremiah and Shalyn; parents, Gene and Lenora; siblings, Cindy (Dirk) and Paul; 14 brothers and sisters-in-law; 44 nieces and nephews; and 24 great-nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Faith Church, 2300 Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing. Interment will follow in Delta Center Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Jim, be given to The Rathbun Memorial Educational Fund c/o Fifth Third Bank, 13681 East 116th St., Fishers, IN 46037 or Cru Global Advancement, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Ste, 2100, Orlando, FL 32832. Envelopes will be available at the service. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
19 Messages to “James Alan Rathbun”
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Tonya Statler
May 2, 2018 at 11:18 pmJim and Rachel were amazing friends to us and who shared not only their lives with us, but also their home. We have so many special memories. I know that he will be greatly missed on earth…but I also know that he was welcomed home in heaven with “well done, my good and faithful servant.” My prayers are with you all.
Mark Sephton
May 3, 2018 at 3:40 amAww Jim, I just heard the news this morning. A mix of emotions. Comforted by the fact your number one love was for your God. In the years I got to witness the way you lead yourself and your family, God was always first. Your second love was for your beauitful family, for which we send our deepest thoughts and prayers of comfort. You were generous in action, thought and deed.
My heart rejoices you are with your maker and my heart is equally sad as I know the loss you will be to your children and your beautiful wife.
Thanks For being the man you were. How you lived did impact on those who were near and far. I salute you. See you soon my brother.
Richard and June Achenbach
May 3, 2018 at 6:34 amWe are thinking of you, Rachel. We will always remember Jim and his love for Jesus . we are lifti g your precious children up In prayer. May God keep you in his hands during this difficult time. We love you all. Sincerely, Richard and June Achenbach.
Lisa Higgins Teegarden
May 3, 2018 at 8:33 amRachel, and all the family, SO SORRY for your great loss. Praying for you all in the days ahead. I remember Jim and Rachel here in Marion. May God Hold you all in His loving arms and bring comfort as only He can. Such a young life, but is now with his Heavenly father! With love, Lisa Higgins Teegarden
Jerry Terrill
May 3, 2018 at 8:47 amRachel, we were so sad to learn of Jim’s death. Your family has been in our prayers and our entire Life Group prayed for you and your children last evening. We have so many wonderful memories from Denver and we’ve liked having the Facebook connection recently. We send our love and hugs to you and your family. Jerry and Shelley Terrill
Todd Voss
May 3, 2018 at 9:45 amA life lived to the glory of our Lord and Savior! Jim will be so missed. The Southern Wesleyan Team, along with Julie and me are praying for the family as you deal with this loss. May His peace and grace be ever so present.
Todd and Julie Voss
SWU
Mark O Wilson
May 3, 2018 at 10:04 amJim was wonderful man and will be deeply missed. I deeply appreciated how he went the extra mile to help others.
Lisa Hagerman
May 3, 2018 at 5:27 pmMy thoughts and prayers are with the whole Rathbun family. May God give you comfort in the days to come.
Kristin Whoolery
May 3, 2018 at 8:01 pmI remember him always having a very positive smile around campus. His love for Jesus was very evident.
John B. Brittain
May 4, 2018 at 11:44 amWe will only know when we join Jim in heaven just how greatly the Lord has used him to impact lives and ministries. This impact is eternal in scope.
Thank you, Lord, for Jim.
John 14:1-3 NIV
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Mark Webb
May 4, 2018 at 3:11 pmRachel, I am so sorry to hear this. Jim was a good friend. Yes, we know he is with Jesus. We wish he was with us a little longer, but we would never ask him to leave from the feet of Jesus. May the God of all comforts do so now, for you and your children. God bless you.
Sharon Olson
May 5, 2018 at 7:04 amWhat a Godly husband and Father Jim was! We will only understand why his life was cut short when we get to Heaven. I pray for God to give each of you comfort and strength to get through the next few days and then, the rest of your lives. I love you all.
Lloyd Roberts
May 5, 2018 at 11:28 amWe are blessed to know Jim’s commitment to Jesus, his family and friends. He set the standard for us all. May The Lord comfort all who grieve at the passing of this good man. Lloyd and Gwen Roberts, parents of Natalie (Josh) Case.
Floyd & Vivian Wilson
May 5, 2018 at 2:09 pmFloyd & I are keeping you in our prayers, Rachel.
Patty Jack
May 5, 2018 at 7:50 pmRachel and kids I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband, father and son.jim was an amazing person and a good friend. My heart aches and rejoices for you,we grieve with you and rejoice with Jim as he and Jesus celebrate his home going. Praying for you and your family…hugs Rachel…
Scott Jensen
May 5, 2018 at 7:55 pmI remember Jim as a good friend from family camp in Hastings, when we were younger. He will be missed.
Sue Coon
May 7, 2018 at 8:52 amI am so very sorry for your loss. I loved each of you and I pray God will heal your hearts. May Jim rest in peace. May God bless each of you.
John and Becky Montgomery
May 7, 2018 at 9:58 amRachel and Kids,
You have all been in our hearts and prayers since we heard about Jim. Your family has been a blessing to us and we want you to know how much we love you. We know Jim is with Jesus and that is a true blessing and comfort. We will continue to pray for you to feel the love and strength of your Christian Family. May God keep you in the palm of his hand.
Kent J Yoder
May 21, 2018 at 3:45 pmI have known Jim for over 25 years as a Christian friend and brother in Christ. I was extremely shocked and surprised of Jim’s passing into Heaven. I received the news in a letter from Steve Douglas, Pres. of CRU. Jim dearly loved his wife and children. Every year we would receive a beautiful picture of his family. We all will dearly miss JIm, his encouraging texts, and his passionate smile for Jesus Christ. I’m praising Jesus that I get to see him again in Heaven and will be serving and worshiping Jesus with Jim for eternity.John 11:25-26 (NIV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”