Obit: Hlavac James “Jim” J. (1936 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hlavac, Thurzo, Tyler, Selz, Theurer, Roth, Howard, Vasilyev, Gilmore, Chen, Schier, Turczyn, Lebal, Roth, Weis, Raasch, Moede, Parker, Mogen, Oelrich, Reynolds, Jenner

----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 12/10/2021

Hlavac, James “Jim” J. (26 November – 9 December 2021)

James “Jim” J. Hlavac, 85, Marshfield, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Marshfield Medical Center.

James was born on November 26, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois to Joseph and Eleanor (Thurzo) Hlavac. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1955. On February 27, 1960, he was united in marriage to Karleen Kramp at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Marshfield. In 1961 he was hired by the city of Marshfield and worked for the Street Department. In 1970 he became the Wildwood Zoo Keeper and retired in 1998 after 28 years of service. “It was the best job I could ever have.”

James enjoyed fishing, hunting, taxidermy, painting, and building birdhouses. He also loved going on casino trips with his beloved wife Karleen, Thursday retired city workers coffee group (clutch), and traveling to New York, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Nashville, Texas, Canada, Montana, and South Dakota.

He is survived by his wife, Karleen of Marshfield, children, Karen (David) Tyler of Granton, Kathy (David) Selz of Lewisville Texas, James Hlavac (Leigh Theurer) of Marshfield, Janet (Lance) Roth of Marshfield and Jason Hlavac (April Weis) of Marshfield. His 12-pack of grandchildren Michael Tyler, Kristine (Erin) Howard, Joey (Tiffany) Selz, Marissa (Philip) Roth-Vasilyev, Jeni (Josh) Gilmore, Crystal Hlavac, McKenzie (Dan) Chen, Jessica (Ezra) Schier, James Hlavac (Katie Turczyn), Matthew Tyler, Jillian Tyler (Wyatt Lebal) and Miles Roth (Emma Raasch) and his grand-dog Jake. His two great-grandchildren, Rooney Howard and Evelyn Schier. His sister, Nancy (James) Moede of Marshfield. His nieces, Michele (Tom) Parker and Melissa Moede (Jason Mogen) of Alaska. His great nieces and nephew, Madisyn and Meghyn Parker and Lorelei and Jason Jr. Mogen.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Eleanor Hlavac, his granddaughter Allison Tyler, his great-grandson Elijah Schier, Aunt Frances “Fannie” Oelrich, mother-in-law Julia Reynolds, brother-in-law Jerry Reynolds, and sister-in-law Kathleen Jenner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Marshfield where the visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Thank you to health care workers on the 6th floor, clergy, and the Peacemakers Guild.