James P. Dejong

James "Jim" P. DeJong 58, town of Hewitt, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2012 in the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, surrounded by his family after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was born August 1, 1953 in Wausau , son of the late Peter and Florence (Madden) DeJong. Jim was a lifelong resident in the town of Hewitt. Jim loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and special friend, his fiancee', Dawn Wild. He enjoyed playing cribbage everyday with his friends, cutting firewood and had a great love for the outdoors. Jim was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting with his children and friends. He worked for J.I Case for 20 years, for HSU's Ginseng and most recently, as a custodian for the Wausau School District. Survivors include, three children, Amy (Jamie) Sherwood, Wausau, Jared (Jessica) DeJong, Merrill and Desiree (Raymond) Younger, Wausau; five grandchildren, Mercedes Sherwood, Caleb and Jackson DeJong and Brody and Cooper Younger; his fiancee', Dawn Wild, Antigo; four sisters, MaryAnn Trantow, Wausau, Carol (Cliff) Schulz, Rosholt, Sharon (Warren) Braunel, Edgar and Donna (Clay) Ballschmieder, Birnamwood; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, William Trantow. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. John Robert Alphonse will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Chris Peterson, the oncology nurses and the staff of the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Oncology Unit and Palliative Care Unit for the compassionate care they provided Jim and his family over the last couple of months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Easton-Hewitt Lions Club, 4103 Evergreen Road, Wausau, WI 54403 or Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 Second Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com