James D Scholz

Chilton WI

James (Jim) Duaine Scholz was welcomed into eternal life at the age of 96 on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

Jim was born on March 21, 1929, to the late Ray and Elda (Schoen) Scholz in Chilton, Wi. He married Eunice Pilling, daughter of Albert and Ida Pilling on May 1, 1951, and shared 47 happy years together before her passing in 1998.

In 1953, Jim was drafted into the Army spending two years stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, with Eunice and baby boy, Kenneth. Upon returning home from the Army, Jim and Eunice raised their family while farming north of Chilton. Shortly after selling their cows in 1977, they moved to their lake home on the east shore of Lake Winnebago enjoying many beautiful sunsets together, boating across the lake for a fish fry and beers. Jim also enjoyed many fishing excursions on Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and perch fishing on Lake Winnibigosh, MN as well as fishing in North Dakota. In the winter months, he enjoyed ice fishing on Lake Winnebago spearing his last 73 lb. sturgeon at the age of 89. During the winter months you could also find him snowmobiling down many rivers and lakes in the area and up north. Jim and Eunice even took a few snowmobiling excursions out west to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. He was a lifelong member of National Holstein Assoc., the American Legion Post of Hilbert, Quinney fishing club, several investment clubs, and director of the Calumet County Insurance Co. He was a 4-H Leader for many years.

Jim’s adventures did not stop there as he loved to waterski and even went sky diving with his son, Keith, at the age of 75. Jim and Eunice also loved to do a lot of traveling throughout the United States and many areas of Europe. Shortly after Eunice passed away, Jim and a few other family members went to Australia as tag-alongs with his grandson's band trip. Recognizing his family was of utmost priority, the Australian trip inspired him to continue his traveling memories by taking his children and spouses on trips every winter to the Caribbean islands, some even including all his grandchildren and their significant others. Trips also included an African safari with son, Ken and wife, Patricia, and a trip to Ireland with son, Keith. Jim was also celebrated in a Glory Honor Flight for his service in the Korean War.

When not boating, fishing, snowmobiling, or traveling, you could also find “Jimmy boy” playing his favorite card game of Sheepshead with one of his many card clubs.

He was never one to turn down a good “Old Fashion” drink, a good dessert (especially a Snickers candy bar or Oreo and chocolate chip cookies) or ANY kind of ice cream! His quick-wit, comeback one- liners like, “I don’t buy green bananas anymore,” for the last 15 years never cease to amaze us.

Jim will be greatly missed by his children Kenneth and Patricia (Woelfel) Scholz, Keith and significant other, Sarah Pritchett, and Karen (Frank) Cmejla; Grandchildren Alyssa (Jon) Thomas, Jared (Katie) Scholz, Justin (Melanie) Scholz, David (Emily) Scholz, Sandy (Lou) Cordes, Mandy (John) Klemm, Adam (Andrea) Cmejla, Andrea (Jared) DuWell, Amber (Michael) Morgan; and 14 great-grandchildren: Zachery, Kayla TesTroete; Mason Scholz; Lineah Klemm; Brooklyn, Courtney Cmejla; Bensen, Colton, Brynlee DuWell; Mia, Roman, Bodhi Morgan; Lola Scholz Thomas; Lincoln Scholz and Samantha Scholz.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice, a son, Kevin; parents Ray and Elda Scholz and parents-in-law, Albert and Ida Pilling, brother, William (Bill) Scholz; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Vivian and John Pagel, Virginia and Norman Stecker and Pearl and Harold Schwalenberg, as well as a few nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Sheboygan County Hospice and the wonderful staff at The Waterford Magnolia Assisted Living facility in Plymouth.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton. Friends may call from 1:30 pm until 3:45 pm at the funeral home on the day of service.