James A Hougland's Obituary
James A. Hougland, 95 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on January 17, 2026, at Oak Hill Care Center, Waterloo, IL. He was born March 5, 1930, in Detroit, MI.
James had been employed at Crown, Cork and Seal,, St. Louis,MO. and Moog Auto-Machine, East St. Louis, IL.
Surviving are his daughters, Doris Witt of Columbia, IL, Debbie (Tom) Shylanski of St. Peters, MO, Darlene (Mel) Becherer of Columbia, IL, his grandchildren, Jim (Melanie) Broshears, Kerri Moore, Dawn (Ryan) Kreder, Donnie (Tessa) Witt, and Jill (Brian) McCoy, his great grandchildren, Ashley Broshears, JT (Haley) Broshears, Abbey Metter, Kelly (Nate) Witherspoon, Dillon (Tess) Suess, Lukas Moore, Alyvia Moore, Blake (Emily) Kreder, Kyle Kreder, Devon Witt, Allie Witt (fiancé, Austin Alexander), Louise McCoy, and Charlotte McCoy, and his great grandchild, Blayklee Suess, his sister, Margaret Ann Hutter of Belleville, IL, along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delphia L. Hougland, his parents, Jacob H. and Anna M., nee Laudon, Hougland, a grandson, Billy Lee Broshears, and three brothers.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Leesman Funeral home in Columbia, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 24, 2026, at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, IL., with Pastor, Jamey Bridges, officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, Illinois.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Charity of Donor's Choice. For more information, please access our website, https://www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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