Video of Service of Worship for James P. Melichar

James (Jim or “Jimmy The Farmer”) Melichar passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 after a two year battle with brain cancer. He was 60 years old. 

Jim was born in Port Washington, Wis. to Benjamin and Grace Melichar on November 6, 1961.  He grew up in the Town of Port Washington on the family dairy farm and graduated from Port Washington High School Class of 1980.

He married the love of his life, Sherrilynn Schroeter, on April 9, 1983 and together they had two sons, Adam and Brad.

One word to describe Jim is “generous”. He was a long-time member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Silver Creek, and then First Congregational United Church of Christ in Port Washington. Later in life he attended River of Life Lutheran Church in Saukville. 

After taking over his family farm early in adulthood, he was never shy about offering a helping hand to a fellow farmer or neighbor. He had an unmatchable work ethic, was effortlessly kind and giving, always available to listen and share a laugh. 

He was very active in his community and participated in the Town of Port Washington government for many years.  He served as Town Chairman for almost 10 years, and prior to that served on the Board of Appeals, Town Supervisor, and Town Planning Commission. 

He was a member of Saukville Gun Club where he donated and volunteered for the annual Saukville Gun Club Disabled Veterans Shoot. He was honored to be recognized by his peers as 2016’s Most Improved Shooter.

He volunteered much time to the Ozaukee County 4-H and served as a 4-H Foundation Board Member. He was a frequent bidder and donor to the 4-H Livestock Auction and a recipient of the Friends of 4-H Award. 

He also donated his time to the Port Washington Wrestling Program. 

Jim’s true passion was farming. He was the proud owner and operator of Melichar Broad Acres that he ran with his son, Adam. Over his career he grew the farm from a small family farm to where it is today, and boasted that their milk was used to create the best string cheese in the world at Cedar Valley Cheese. 

He was on the Ozaukee County Dairy Promotion Committee, the Board of Directors for Kettle Lakes Co-op for over 15 years, Lakeshore Technical College Board and was a member of the National Dairy Herd Association where he received the Friend of the Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Award for Southeastern Wisconsin. 

Most recently he was the President of the Clean Farm Families farming conservation group and was one of the first three farms involved with the Ozaukee County Farm Demonstration Network. 

Over the years, he mentored dozens of young people and took them under his wing. He trained many on the farm, including but not limited to, his nephews Curtiss, Kevin, Jeffery, Daniel, Michael, Joe, and his “sons” Jorge, Efren & Robert and many other family, friends and neighbors. 

He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. He was an avid BBQ hobbyist (along with his lifelong friends) & connoisseur of fine liquors. He’s referred to as the “Best Grandpa Ever” or “Treat Man” by his grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife Sherri, sons Adam (Kendall) and Brad (Leah),  and his grandchildren Carter, Grant, Scarlett, Alexa and Collins.  Further survived by his honorary parents Bob (Carol) Noll, his siblings Kate Smith, Steve (Barb) Melichar, Peggy (Jim) Stenberg, Ben (Cheryl) Melichar, Grace (Stephen) Prom, Tom (Lisa) Melichar, his mother-in-law Donna Schroeter and in-laws Steve (Nancy) Schroeter, Shelly (Randy) Bell, Scott (Jennifer) Schroeter and many nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his mother and father Grace and Benjamin Melichar, brother Danny Melichar, nieces Carrie Ballbach and Jessica Schroeter, nephews Brandon Melichar and Justin Bell and father-in-law Vilas Schroeter. 

A Service of Worship will be held 1:30 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at St. John XXIII Parish-St Peter of Alcantara Church, 1802 N. Wisconsin Street, Port Washington. The Rev. Ethan Luhman of River of Life Lutheran Church, Saukville will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:30 am to 1:15 pm on Saturday prior to the service at church. Celebration of Life luncheon will follow the service at Country Inn & Suites (350 E Seven Hills Rd, Port Washington, WI 53074).

Memorials to First Immanuel Lutheran School (W67N622 Evergreen Blvd, Cedarburg, WI  53012), Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation (PO Box 176, Cedarburg, WI 53012) or Aurora Neuroscience Institute (Attn: Jennifer Benanti, 2801 W Kinnickinnic River Pkwy, Suite 506, Milwaukee, WI 53215) appreciated.

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16 Comments

  1. Dear Sherri and family, I am so saddened to learn of Jim’s passing. My heartfelt sympathies to all of you. I pray that knowing so many people share your grief helps to absorb some of the pain of loss. May love of family and friends surround you now and support you as you celebrate Jim’s life and beautiful legacy.

  2. Please accept our heart felt sympathy for your loss. May good be with you and your family in this difficult time.

  3. Sherry, what a phenonamal husband Jim was for you! His contributions to society will be everlasting. My heart goes out to you. Anna Asch

  4. Unfortunately I’ve had limited contact with Jim since graduating with him in 1980 but truly one of the nicest guys I’ve known. I’m privileged to have known him. RIP Jim and condolences to family and friends!

  5. To the Melichar Family,
    God took one of his strongest angels back to heaven. Our hearts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow. Love and Blessings from Aunt Clara and Gaimary Newmann

  6. Sherri,
    You have our sympathies over the loss of your husband. I remember at previous class reunions you talked about your family and your farm life with joy on your face. Hold on to those memories.

    Clare (Schueller) and Neal Bowe family
    Waco, Texas

  7. The world was a better place with Jim in it. He will be missed by all who crossed his path.

  8. To the entire Melichar family.
    I am truly blessed to have known Jim and your family. Thinking of you at this time. He was an amazing man and he always had time to ask how I was and my family was doing. Period.
    Paul Swanson
    Kiel

  9. Jim was a memorable student at Port High in one of my first classes, probably a literature class. So proud of this man and strong leader. May your wonderful family cherish the memories. Sending prayers.

  10. We shared this on the I Grew Up in Port Washington Facebook group. The comments on the post are many and heartfelt. Jim had a sea of friends.

  11. May God give your whole family peace now that Jim is no longer suffering from his two year battle of cancer. He will be watching over all of you from heaven and guiding you each day.
    Blessings from Eberhadt Plumbing and Heating, Inc, Adell, WI

  12. You will be sorely missed Jim. Rest in peace

  13. So many memories of time spent on the farm when we were kids have been flooding through my mind since hearing that Jimmy lost his battle.

    He is probably the best example of a Christian I have ever seen, and I know he will be deeply missed by many.

    Our deepest condolences to Sherri and the rest of the family as you struggle with your loss.

  14. Yes, I will miss his big smile and always being able to tease him about not parking his foreign Truck NON FORD to close at Lochen Ford

  15. My deepest sympathies to the family for which Jim was a pillar. I am privileged to have known him.

  16. What I rember about Jim is his contagious smile, he really made a difference in this world. Being a husband, farmer. A father, friend and cousin.
    May you be at peace fly high Jimmy, love Tina and family

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