Obit: Zimpher, James Harry (1943 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Denny, Honsa, Houle, Pekol, Wirsing, Yanich, Yurinich, Zimpher

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 10/29/2015

Zimpher, James (Jim) Harry (11 JAN 1943 - 4 OCT 2015)

James (Jim) Harry Zimpher was born Jan. 11, 1943 to Thomas and Ruth Zimpher in Milwaukee.

God called Jim home on Oct. 4, 2015 at the age of 72. Jim graduated from Prentice High School in 1960. After graduation, he relocated to Marengo, Ill. and was employed at Techalloy until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in Nov. 1964.

He served in Vietnam until March 9, 1966, at which time he sustained severe injuries and was treated in Japan until his discharge on Aug. 18, 1966. For his service he received the Marksman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Commendation Medals.

On Sept. 29, 967, he married JoAnn Denny in Marengo, Ill. They built their life together in Marengo and were blessed with two children, Michelle and Jim. He went on to work at Woodstock Die Casting and Woodstock Christian Care until relocating to Wickenburg, Ariz. in 1998. At that time they purchased Trader J's, which Jim enjoyed operating alongside his wife JoAnn.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn; daughter Michelle (Dave) Yanich of Phillips; son, Jim of Wickenburg, Ariz.; grandsons, Matthew Yurinich, Jacob and Braden Yanich of Phillips; mother-in-law, Edith Denny, Phillips; and sisters Sharon Zimpher, San Antonio, Texas and Barbara (Jim) Houle, Medford.

He is also survived by brothers-in-law Lyle (Pat) Denny, Randy (Diane) Denny, Jeff (Lori) Denny; sisters-in law Susie (Wayne) Wirsing, Judy (Jim) Pekol and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Ruth Zimpher, father-in-law, Richard Denny, and brothers-in-law, Jim Denny and wife Marjean and brother-in-law Ross Honsa.