James Lewinski, age 81, of Waupaca, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2016 with his family at his side  at Bethany Home in Waupaca.

He was born in Milwaukee, WI on January 9, 1935, a son of the late Edward and Gertrude (Ryder) Lewinski. James graduated from Iola High School in 1951. He married Delores Marquard on August 14, 1954 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manawa. James proudly served his country in the Marine Corps from 1954-1956 and was a Korean War Veteran and military police officer. He was a faithful and active member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and had served on the council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, American Legion Post 161 for 25 years.

In addition to running his business as a Snap On Tool distributor, he also served as the Mayor of Waupaca from 1994-2001. James loved serving the people of Waupaca. He was the first Waupaca Mayor to be invited to Waupaca’s sister city of Nio, Japan. Prior to being mayor, he served as a 2nd Ward Alderman from 1990-1994. James was on the Honor Flight in 2015. Jim loved to teach his sons, grandchildren and nephews how to deer hunt. He also enjoyed being a part of the Monday Morning Coffee Club. Jim will be remembered most for his generosity, love of his family, and most of all for his little jokes he loved to tell others.

Survivors include his wife, Delores Lewinski, Waupaca, WI; children: Robert (Mary Ellen) Lewinski, Waupaca, WI; Nancy (Christopher) Korth, Three Lakes, WI; John (Sally) Lewinski, Waupaca, WI; grandchildren: Jennifer (Mark) Hartwig, Waupaca, WI; Daniel (Denise) Lewinski, Waupaca, WI; Ryan (Mallori) Korth, Neenah, WI; Amy Lewinski, Appleton, WI; Travis Korth, OH; great-grandchildren: Meredith, Owen and Vincent Hartwig, Waupaca, WI; brother, Thomas (Joyce) Lewinski, Minocqua, WI. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother – Edward and a sister – Beverly Morrison.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 with Father Amalraj Roche, officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery in Waupaca. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, with a Rosary Service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation also on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Honor Flight, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion or Cancer Research.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Theda Care-Waupaca, Theda Care at Home Hospice, Bethany Home, Dr. Earl Anderson and Dr. Anthony Phillips for all of their kind and compassionate care.