Memorial Gathering Sees 200 Pro-Life People Mourn Slain Advocate Jim Pouillon

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 14, 2009   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Memorial Gathering Sees 200 Pro-Life People Mourn Slain Advocate Jim Pouillon

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 14
, 2009

Owosso, MI (LifeNews.com) — More than 200 people gathered on Sunday afternoon in this small Michigan community to mourn the shooting death of Jim Pouillon. He was shot on Friday by a pro-abortion man unhappy with the fact that he would protest abortion outside a local high school.

Many of the people in the crowd came with pro-life signs similar to those Pouillon would prop up against himself and the curb to show how abortion kills children and how unborn children deserve protection.

Others urged to stop abortion or came from women who regret their abortions.

The pro-life people and others who are saddened by Pouillon’s death gathered at the same spot in front of Owosso High School where he was killed to sing, pray and share stories about their friend.

Mary Jo Pouillon, his 26-year-old daughter, held her father’s Bible throughout the ceremony and she read from the book he enjoyed reading.

"My dad would love all the attention he’s getting," she said, according to the Lansing State Journal, because he would want to reflect it to abortion and God.

Mary Jo Pouillon said the retiree from General Motors was a peaceful man who would present a silent witness for life with his signs and didn’t aggressively confront other people.

Others, like Jim Conway of Mount Pleasant, talked about the gentle character of Pouillon.

"At the end of each conversation, I would always say to him, ‘God bless you, Jim Pouillon,’" he told the newspaper. "And he would say, ‘He just did, because I just talked to you.’ "

Monica Migliorino Miller, of the local pro-life group Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, urged more people who are pro-life to speak up.
"If you’re feeling a little uncomfortable, think of the price Jim paid," she said. "My prayer is that Jim’s death will recommit us all to the cause, and peacefully so."

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday for Pouillon at Mowen Funeral Home in Owosso.

Jim was married to the former Mary Lou Kadera of Owosso who was killed in a traffic accident in 2001.

He attended Owosso Public Schools, graduating in 1965 and Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army afterwards. During his tour, he was wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder while serving in Vietnam as a radio operator.

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