James P. ‘Jim’ Zuelsdorff, age 83, of the Town of Pine River, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016, at his home.
Jim was born May 20, 1932, in Marathon County, son of the late Elmer and Helen (Weckwerth) Zuelsdorff. He married Shirley E. Vanselow on June 21, 1958. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2012. Jim was a member of the United States National Guard, and in 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army. During his service, he was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. Jim was honorably discharged in 1955. On May 11, 2015, Jim flew to Washington D.C. with Never Forgotten Honor Flight XX. Jim was a member of V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill.
Jim graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1951. During high school, he played football. Jim became a member of the Merrill Silver “M” Club and also received a Golden “M”. Shortly after returning home from the military in 1955, Jim took a job at Ward Paper Company, Merrill. In 1994, he retired after working at the paper mill for 39 years. Jim enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, feeding the birds, socializing, and watching sports especially the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers. Jim was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill.
Survivors include his two daughters, Suzy (Jim) Wilkinson of Rockford, Illinois, and Mary Leopold of Merrill; four grandchildren, Becky (Chris) Grunwald of Gilbert, Arizona, Amy (Dave) Alex of Chandler, Arizona, Lizzie (Matt) Harman of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and Nick Wilkinson, of Rockford, Illinois; one great-grandson, Calvin James Grunwald; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Zuelsdorff of Merrill; and his nephew, John ‘Buck’ Zuelsdorff of Merrill. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Zuelsdorff; his parents, Elmer and Helen Zuelsdorff; his son-in-law, Roy Leopold; his brother, Roger Zuelsdorff; and his brother-in-law, Ken Vanselow.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 13, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com