James Smith

VISITATION

4-7 p.m., Sunday, November 3 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and from 10-11 a.m., Monday, November 4 at English Lutheran Church of Bateman, 20588 County Hwy X, Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE

11 a.m., Monday, November 4 at English Lutheran Church of Bateman, 20588 County Hwy X, Chippewa Falls.

James Harold Smith, 80, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 31, 2013 while under the care of Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice.

Jim was born December 25, 1932 in Delavan, Wisconsin, to Freda (McClellan) and Arthur W. Smith. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Delavan High School in 1950. Jim enlisted in the United States Navy on October 20, 1950 and spent his first year at boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. His remaining service was on the USS Bearass (DD 654) in the Atlantic fleet as an Electronics Technician. Jim was honorably discharged on September 23, 1953, and then attended UW-Madison where he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering. His first job out of college was working as an Industrial Engineer for Oscar Mayer in Madison.

Jim married Beverly Bublitz on June 25, 1955 in Watertown, Wisconsin. They lived in Madison until moving to Chippewa Falls in 1963 where they have resided on Lake Wissota ever since. He was an avid sports fan, and Grandpa Jim spent many hours in the bleachers cheering for his grandchildren in whatever sport they were playing. He was truly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughters, Laurie (David) Dies of Waunakee, Lisa Stelter (Mike) Graf of Chippewa Falls; his five grandchildren, Lucas and Eric Stelter, Elizabeth, Sarah and Timothy Dies; his brother Ronald (Susan) of Lemont, PA; his brother-in-law Paul (Thelma) Bublitz of Davidsonville, MD and his sister-in-law Kay Smith of Cedar Rapids, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Beverly in August of 2008 and a brother Richard in May of 2000.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4 at English Lutheran Church of Bateman (20588 County Highway X, Chippewa Falls) with the Rev. Ned Lenhart officiating. Interment will follow at Bateman Cemetery with military honors provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council. Friends and family are invited to gather at High Shores Supper Club, (17985 County Highway X, Chippewa Falls) immediately following the service for a time of celebration and reminiscing.

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, 44 E. Columbia Street, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

A father holds a special place in a daughters heart the first man she ever loved. He represents all that is good and honest and right in the world. His faith and love will be with her always.

AFTERSERVICE

A memorial service for James Harold Smith, 80, of the town of Lafayette was held at 11 a.m., Monday, November 4 at English Lutheran Church of Bateman in Chippewa Falls. Pastor Ned Lenhart officiated and music was provided by organist, Barbara Sandford and soloist, Doug Parker. Personal reflections were given by daughters, Lisa Graf, Laurie Dies and brother, Ronald Smith. Interment with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council was in Bateman Cemetery, town of Lafayette and Thomas Eder Jr. bugled taps.