James G. Wichlacz

James George Wichlacz left this world on Monday, October 20, 2025, to move on to a better place. Jim was the son of George and Bernice (Taddy) Wichlacz. He was born in Two Rivers on July 6, 1939, recently celebrating his 86th birthday. He spent his entire life there except for four years in the US Navy and the past several years when he was no longer able to reside at home and required residential care.

Jim suffered from PSP Progressive Supernova Palsy. It is a rare brain disease that started many years ago and finally took his life. Those close to him saw the changes in him over the years as the disease progressed.

Jim graduated from Two Rivers high school in 1957. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and spent four years aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La. He served in a time of peace and was lucky to be able to sail around the world.

Thanks to the encouragement of his nephew, Aaron Wiegand, and his dates of service he was able to take the old glory honor flight to Washington DC. He was on the first flight out of the Green Bay Airport and the one sponsored by the Green Bay Packers.

When he returned from his service in the navy Jim began his employment with Sentry Foods in Two Rivers, now the Piggy Wiggly. He was the grocery manager until his first retirement at the age of 62. He then returned part time and continued working until COVID forced him to retire. His goal was to work until he was 80 but he fell short by about four months. The store kept changing owners and names, but Jim kept on working. He said he didn't need to join a gym as he got his exercise stocking shelves. It was hard to shop with him as he kept straightening up the shelves as we went along.

In his spare time Jim enjoyed bowling, traveling and tending his garden and flowers inside and outside. He took special care of his African violet plants. He kept a calendar of when the hummingbirds would return as they were his favorite. If not for this disease he would still be doing those things today. As his limitations increased, he enjoyed watching the oldies TV stations, especially Perry Mason and westerns.

When love comes in your door, you know you won't be lonely anymore. Jim and Ruth (Wiegand) were married on April 14, 1973, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Sheboygan WI. He leaves behind his loving wife of 52 years. He also leaves behind his ice cream buddy, Madison. The two shared a lot of butter pecan.

Jim is survived by his son, Robert and wife Ann and his daughter, Kathryn and her partner Lynn. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Madeline and her husband Keenan and Jack and his wife Jennifer. He has four great grandchildren, Amelia, Robert, Christan and Kenton. He has one surviving brother, Patrick, and his wife Bonnie and their two children Todd and Jorie.

He is also survived by his Sheboygan family the Wiegand's, his brother-in-law Leon and his wife Dorothy and their children Brian and Aaron and his wife Jaclyn and their children Alyssa (Christian) and her son Noah, Samuel and Robert. And our Texan family Tonya and her four boys Ayden, Clyde, Wyatt and Mack.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents George and Bernice Wichlacz and his in laws Fred and Nelda Wiegand.

The older one gets and people in our lives change our definition of family gets broader. The friends who are there for you in your time of need become family also. A special thank you to Pat and Chris Shaw, Linda and Dick Schroeder, Jeff Koob and Cyndi Deehr and Sue Kaminsky for being there for him in his time of need. And our lives were forever changed by the wonderful help from our neighbors Michael and Sue Lodel. It was a long journey and all of you were always there along the way. Whether you were picking him up when he fell or celebrating his birthday or anniversary with him you were there for the bad times and the good times.

The biggest thank you is saved for last. Our nephew Brian Wiegand, who spent almost one day a week for the last four or five years coming to Two Rivers and helping with anything and everything. He helped to keep Jim at home as long as it was safe for him to stay. After Jim was placed in assisted living, Brian continued his visits coming to take Jim out to lunch once a week, so Jim had something to look forward to. If Jim got to pick the restaurant it was pizza someplace, but he did let Brian choose once in a while. And when the time came that we could no longer take him out, Brian came up with other things for him to look forward to that could be brought in like his favorite Culver's banana and strawberry concrete mixers.

Rosalyn Carter once said do what you can to show you care about others and you will make the world a better place. And these people did that for Jim and me. Thank you to Shady Lane Assisted Living, Sylvan Crossing and Sharon Richardson Community Hospice for taking care of him when I no longer could. After 52 years of marriage, I had to trust others to give him the care he needed.

Per Jim's wishes there will be no service.

Deja and Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers are assisting with arrangements.

Cremation has taken place. Please remember him for the kind gentle soul he was.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting dejamartin.com

Memorials May be sent to Old Glory Honor Flight 321 S Nicolet Rd Suite A Appleton, WI 54914 or to Lakeshore Humane Society 1551 N 8th St Manitowoc WI 54220 or somewhere that means something special to you.

When you see a caretaker, smile and give them thanks for the job they do. Until you walk in their shoes you will truly not understand what their life is like.