Belanger, James D. "Jim" 

b. 12/24/1953

d. 09/11/2004  Oconomowoc, WI

Of Oconomowoc, (Waukesha Co., WI) passed away in the arms of his loving wife and four children after a 10 month battle with cancer, on Sat Sep 11, 2004 at the age of 50 yrs.

 Jim was the high school sweetheart and loving husband of Sue (nee Baldner) for 31 yrs. He was the proud father of Jim Jr., Jennifer Kussrow, Katie (Ben) Ragan and Lyndee "Curly".  He was playful papa of his adoring grandchildren, Madeline, Lilyanna, Ella Shay, and Christopher, and a dedicated son of Mary (nee Guiney) Belanger and loving brother of Bill (Patty) Belanger, Anne (Steve) Gibert and Kay Johnson.  He will also be missed as brother-in-law of John Whittow, Bob Baldner and Nancy Martin and as son-in-law of Gil Baldner, and other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. 

Jim is also survived by special family friends Ron and Pam Herbst, Karen Wendler, Wendy Weeks, and many wonderful friends.    Jim was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence, his sister Mary Pat, his Uncle Charlie and his mother-in-law Betty Anne Baldner. 

Jim was an amazing man who could fix anything!  He worked at Tower Automotive for 31 yrs. and fought for truth and justice for his fellow workers as a long time union steward and Grievance Committee member of Smith Steel Workers Union Local 19806.

 He enjoyed fishing, hunting, holidays, birthdays, road trips with his family, going to the casino, bingo with his mom, and lottery tickets.

Jim was a life-long Packers' fan.

Visitation for Jim will be held on Thu Sep 16, 2004 from 4 to 7pm at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 Bluemound Rd.(JJ) at Hwy J (4 blocks south of I-94).

 Please bring a scratch-off lottery ticket to participate in a special memorial moment.  It was Jim's wish to be cremated following the service and his ashes put in the Rock River at his home during a crankin' thunderstorm!

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Oconomowoc Cancer Care Center, especially Lynn, Jackie, Judy, Lynn Angel, Michelle, Mandy, Dr. Hansen and to Angels Grace of Oconomowoc.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Oconomowoc Cancer Care Center, to Angel's Grace or to the family.

--excerpts from the Milwaukee Journal,/Sentinel Sep 14, 2004--

(Belanger,   b. 12/24/1953)