JAMES CHEW

James Harold Chew passed away December 30, 2017 at Oakridge Gardens in Menasha at the age of 86. He was born July 22, 1931 in Milwaukee to the late Beatrice and Harold Chew. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Patsy DeBruin and nephew, Paul DeBruin.

His family moved to Menasha in 1941 and although totally deaf (eventually being fitted with a hearing aid in high school), he graduated from Menasha High in 1950 excelling as a guard in football and being elected co-captain of the team. He met his future wife, Jean Bredendick, whom he married in 1954 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. He was immediately asked to join the church's softball team, which played together for many years (even on storm nights when the bar became the playing field and the “games” lasted for 5+ hours!).

He served on various committees including secretary of the Church council, counting committee, “recycleman,” and various repair jobs. He attended UW- Stout, received his journeyman electrician's license from Appleton Technical School, and was employed by the Institute of Paper Chemistry retiring after 43 years of dedicated service. He was respected by all for his loyalty for going above and beyond, and for his personality. For many years, he was the “grocery shopper” and “honey-doer” for his wife, before and after GOLF outings and Coffee Crew with his work-buddies.

He and his wife loved to travel, camp, and attend all of his children and grandchildren's activities. He was a strong supporter of ALL Menasha athletics, coached Menasha's youth in the Little League Baseball program, and his son is following in his footsteps.

Always a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 63 ½ years, Jean; son, Jeff (Debbie) Chew; daughter, Jan (Denny) Lamers;  grandchildren: Kelly (Jason) Hougom; Betsy (Derek) Nelson; Angie (Brad) Klipp; T.J. Lamers; Jamie (Mark) Blumreiter; and great-grandchildren: Levi Nelson; Ivy Hougom; and McCoy “Mac” Klipp, as well as by his beloved extended family: Bobby, Wendy, Hayden and Jake Kraus. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Vern DeBruin; and nieces and nephews. HE WAS LOVED BY EVERYONE WHO EVER MET HIM!

A funeral service for Jim will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January, 4, 2018 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 473 Seventh St., Menasha, Rev. David Skarsten officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 12:00 NOON until the hour of service.

A special thank you for the kindness, concern, and medical attention given to him by Dr. Knaus and his assistant Kelly throughout the many years.
 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for St. Timothy Church and the Fox Valley Memory Project.