Jimmie "Jim" Stellmacher

Jimmie “Jim” F. Stellmacher, age 77, of Fairwater, WI, passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Ripon Medical Center.

Jim was born March 17, 1939, in Ripon, WI, the son of Melvin and LaVerne (Kuehn) Stellmacher. He graduated from Ripon High School with the class of 1957. Jim began working at the family business, Stellmacher Lumber Company shortly after graduation and stayed with them all his adult life. On May 13, 1961, Jim married Karen Oelke in Princeton, WI. He served our country in the Wisconsin National Guard, COB 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Jim was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Markesan, WI, a charter member of Fairwater Lions Club for 50 years and served the Village of Fairwater as Trustee and President.

Jim loved being active. He loved all types of sports and activities, especially the ones that involved his grandchildren. No matter the weather or the distance he was there. Jim also was a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs and no matter where he was made a great effort to watch them play. Jim liked to spend time in Boulder Junction hunting and fishing, and spending winter months in Florida where he and Karen met many wonderful new friends. Jim could always be seen putting in walking miles around Fairwater and loved to participate in 5K’s with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Karen Stellmacher; his daughter, Laurie (James) Sasada; son, Jon (Sarah) Stellmacher all of Fairwater, WI; four grandchildren, Jared Sasada of Rice Lake, WI, Kailie Sasada of Fairwater, WI, Sage and Hannah Stellmacher both of Fairwater, WI; sister, Yvonne (Steve) Steele of Eden Prairie, MN and brother, Gerald “Jerry” (Georgia) Stellmacher of Fairwater, WI. Jim was further survived by nieces and nephews, Gary (Trisha) Stellmacher and their children, Madison and Max, Matthew (Anne) Steele and their children, Collin and Ryan, Adam (Katie) Steele and their son, Camden and Melissa (Rob) Merritt and their son, Holden. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and LaVerne Stellmacher; son, Michael J. Stellmacher; in-laws, Victor and Leona Oelke and brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Geraldine Oelke.

Visitation for Jimmie will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016, from 4 – 7:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971 with a Fairwater Lions Club Memorial Service Rites at 7:00 pm. Visitation will be held again on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, from 10 – 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 65 W. Catherine St., Markesan, WI 53946.

Funeral Service for Jimmie will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Markesan. Reverend Jason Jobs will officiate. Interment will follow at Fairwater Cemetery in the Village of Fairwater with Full Military Honors. A memorial is being established in his name.

Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences