Raymond “Jim” James Shaffar, age 63, of Weyauwega, completed his life’s journey on September 1, 2017 and is now in God’s loving hands. He passed away at Cherry Meadows Hospice Home in Appleton, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer.

Jim was born on May 12, 1954 in Landstuhl (U.S. military base), West Germany to the late Raymond II and Elizabeth (VandenBusch) Shaffar. He graduated from Waukegan High School in Illinois and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. Jim completed his basic training in 1976 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina – later serving as a SP-4 at Fort Wainwright in Alaska, working as a CH-47 helicopter mechanic. He got his associate degree in 1980 at the Lake County Technical College and began a career in the public works department at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Jim moved to Weyauwega in 2004, where fishing on the Wolf River for walleye and white bass was a favorite activity of his – especially when he was usually accompanied by, first Emily and later Cooper – his golden retrievers. Cooper, in particular, could grab the fish out of the water and pull it into the boat. Jim loved to share the best of his catch with his special friends and neighbors. He took great pride in maintaining his home in the “five-acre woods”, cutting and carefully stacking many cords of maple firewood to help warm the winter evenings.

Jim is survived by his two sisters and one brother, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim would like us to express our gratitude to Pastor Dennis Lemke, Dr. Matthias Weiss and the doctors and nurses at the ThedaCare Medical Centers in both Appleton and Waupaca. Special appreciation goes also to the entire staff at the Cherry Meadows Hospice Home in Appleton for their compassionate care for Jim.

A Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Weyauwega, WI. Reverend Dennis Lemke will officiate. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Northshore Garden of Memories Cemetery in North Chicago, IL. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.