James "Jim" J. Scheel

James J. "Jim" Scheel, 79, Wausau died Monday, January 23, 2017 at Benedictine Living Center, Wausau. He was born August 25, 1937 in Milwaukee, son of the late William C. and Katherine (Matuszak) Scheel. The family moved to Wausau in 1942, and Jim spent the rest of his youth helping his family to farm. He was always proud of the fact that his parents' farm was able to support his parents, grandparents, and six siblings, and that they never went hungry. Jim helped neighboring farmers with chores whenever possible to earn spending money, which he spent on clothes, to help out his parents. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1959, and achieved the rank of Airman First Class. Since his discharge date was supposed to be in early January, 1960, he was discharged a couple of weeks early to be home for the holidays. He joined other early-discharge airmen in frequently singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" to the airmen that had to stay! Jim met Bernice Senoracki at Colonial Ballroom at a polka dance. They spent many dates dancing, and on one date, Bernice got her first taste of pizza at Sam's... on a Friday during Lent... so it was tuna pizza. She was not impressed. Jim proposed to Bernice at Mino's restaurant, and they had a five year engagement while waiting for siblings to return from the armed forces. On May 29, 1965 he married Bernice at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2016. Jim worked at Eder Industries in Milwaukee for seven years training others to assemble circuit boards. In 1967, Jim and Bernice moved to Wausau and Jim started a career with GTE that lasted for more than 32 years. He was a Central Office Equipment Installer, which meant that he installed phone systems for many businesses in the Wausau area. He was also instrumental in installing many fiber optic networks throughout northern Wisconsin. He saw the telephone industry evolve from systems that would fill large rooms to ones that were the size of small desks. He retired from GTE in 1999, before the Verizon merger. He was a union steward for the CWA (Communications Workers of America) for 31 years. Jim was a devoted father to his only daughter, Tracy. Although he worked out of town from Sunday night through Thursday, he made it a point to come home whenever Tracy had a concert or other activity. He only missed one concert in all of Tracy's school and college years! When Jim went out of town for continuing education classes for GTE, he would bring back educational toys for Tracy, instilling in her the importance of and a love of education. Jim enjoyed deer hunting, but was never able to top his first deer, an 11 pointer. He enjoyed golfing with his brothers Bill and Jerry, even when they pranked him with exploding golf balls! He truly enjoyed being a volunteer at the Grand Theater for 29 years, and was almost always found at the door, taking tickets and trying to make every patron feel like they were the most important person there. Jim was also a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, George Schreier Council, Schofield, Council #1069. Survivors include his daughter, Tracy Scheel, Wausau, his siblings, Barbara (Al) Marx, Ringle, Cindi (Neal) Schalow, Rothschild, Dennis Scheel, Texas, two sisters-in-law, Edna Scheel, Wausau and Marilyn Scheel, Weston, one brother-in-law, Bernie Senoracki, Birnamwood and many nieces, nephews and friends. He is further survived by four Godchildren, Denise Perkins, Wausau, Debbie Sumner, Minnesota, Jeffrey Schultz, Minnesota, and Becky Dierkes, Lake Mills, and a God-granddaughter, Savannah Guenther, Merrill. He is also survived by two "extra" sisters, Judy Treptow and Kathy Carter, both of Reedsburg. Besides his parents and wife he was preceded in death by one sister, Kathleen Ott and two brothers, William and Jerome Scheel. Jim's family wishes to thank the exceptional staffs at Benedictine Wellness Center and Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Post Surgical, for their excellent care and compassion in the last weeks of his life. They also send heartfelt thanks to Dr. Harish Ahuja and the knowledgeable nurses and staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center for helping Jim to survive twelve additional years after his kidney cancer diagnosis in 2005. Unending thanks go out to the extraordinary staff of Draeger Chiropractic, Weston, who through the years, have become loving family members! Finally, thank you to Fr. Al Burkhardt, Fr. Nate Kuhn, and the staff of St. Anne Parish for all of their help and guidance. A Memorial Mass will be held at Noon, Thursday, January 26, 2017 at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. The Rev. Nate Kuhn will preside. Inurnment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts will be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com