James "Jim" Warsaw

Jim Warsaw left his earthly body and joined his first wife, Peggy, and his beloved daughter, Mandy, in the home that was given by the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jim was surrounded by his wife Jill, his son AJ, and his grandsons Cayden and Cameron. While we are brokenhearted over the void that this has created in our family, we are assured that this is not the end, but a beginning that is so profound, we will never understand it until we ourselves, experience this gift. PRAISES for Jim’s beautiful life, and all he meant to so many. His true nature of a giving heart is continually being revealed to us, as we listen to his many friends and family relay their condolences.

Jim’s life was greatly influenced by his high school years. He was a natural leader in many areas, serving his fellow students as Senior Class President, as well as an award winning running back on the “Hilltoppers” football team. That distinction earned him a full ride scholarship to Purdue University when he graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1968. Known as “PeeWee”, playing for the Purdue Boilermakers, Jim continued his studies and ended college life with a BA in Business and Finance, then beginning a long career in the banking industry. Returning to Joliet, he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Svetich, and was joyfully welcomed into her large Slovenian family. Daughter Mary Amanda (Mandy) was born in 1974, followed by Aaron James (AJ) in 1975. The family loved snow skiing in Colorado and boating in Saugatuck, Michigan. Moving to Rockford, Illinois as President of Amcore Bank, Jim and Peggy made many lifelong friends and were involved in numerous philanthropic organizations. While living in Wausau, Wisconsin, as President of Mid-Wisconsin Bank, Jim was shattered when Peggy died unexpectedly. While still living in Wausau, Jim found love again with his current wife, Jill, and they were married in 2010. Jill’s family’s vacation home on Long Lake in Phelps, Wisconsin became one of Jim’s greatest pleasures, where he found his love of boating, fishing and nature completely satisfied. They continued to spend time there with friends and family during all the seasons. Their lives were devastated again when Mandy tragically died in 2020.

Jim was actively involved with Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club. He also served as the head of RYE (Rotary Youth Exchange) for this area, resulting in Jim and Jill’s hosting of two Brazilian exchange students. Additionally, Jim and Jill became involved with New Beginnings for Refugees in the Wausau area.

Jim loved all kinds of music, playing his guitar and thinking he could play the piano. He also enjoyed driving his pontoon boat, or actually, just sitting in it, He was a good sport in many areas, including trying to land a (legal) walleye on Long Lake. He also loved bonfires at the lake or at his home, enjoying his friends and family, as well as getting down and dirty, four-wheeling with his son and grandsons. His appreciation of dachshunds began with Jill’s Snoopy and continued with Lucy and Ollie. Most of all, Jim loved his family, his son AJ and his grandsons Cayden and Cameron, his “adopted” son Pedro, his wife Jill, and held his extended family and friends close to his oversized heart.

James Faye Warsaw was born on November 5, 1950 to John W. Warsaw and Janette L. Warsaw (Stewart) in Ft. Des Moines, Iowa. He died on March 16, 2025 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, after a short illness.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Peggy, his daughter Mandy, his sister Janet Wack and other family members. He is survived by his wife Jill of Wausau, his son AJ and grandsons Cayden and Cameron of Rockford, Illinois, brother John (Marsha) Warsaw of Centerville, Ohio, brother Jerald (Irene) of Elgin, Illinois, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Ginny Eames and their family in Dallas, Texas, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Britt and Paula Johnson and their family in Machesney Park, Illinois. Additionally, many Stewart, Svetich and Chamberlain family members.

Visitation will be held on March 24, 2025 from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at Brainard Funeral Home, Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI.

Memorial Mass, officiated by Father Tom Lindner, on March 25, 2025, 11:00AM, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 700 W. Bridge Street, Wausau, WI, with Visitation beginning at 9:00AM until time of service.

Services will be live-streamed at brainardfuneral.com under James “Jim” Warsaw.

In Jim’s memory, please consider a donation to New Beginnings for Refugees, 903 N. Third Street, Suite B, Wausau, WI 54403, or Rotary Foundation, 222801 Strawflower Circle, Wausau, WI 54401.

Your friendship and love for Jim is our highest honor