James R. Schwobe

James R. Schwobe, age 64, of Chilton, died on Thursday, September 20, 2018 following a brief illness at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.  He was born November 3, 1953 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, son of Vernon & Jeanette (Joas) Schwobe.  He married Carol Ann Giebel on November 11, 1972 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Chilton.



He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and as a man with a daily routine and a propensity for rising early, Jim volunteered as an usher at church when Masses were held early.  



Jim was a skilled machinist who loved to work with his hands crating and fixing anything that was in need of repair.  He had worked for Tecumseh Products, Mercury Marine and Ariens Company until his retirement a year ago on May 1.  



Throughout his entire life, Jim had a fascination with anything that had a motor.  He especially had a passion for antique cars and owned a ’69 Charger and an ’87 Chevy 1 Ton 4×4 Truck.  Jim’s shop was always bustling with activity from morning until night as he turned wrenches, sandblasted parts and used his auto body skills to paint and make things beautiful.  Although this gear head wasn’t quite sure how a computer functioned, he greatly appreciated everything that the internet had to offer when researching how to fix or create his next great project.



Jim also cherished quiet moments tending to his garden, cracking hickory nuts and doing everything he could to make sure the squirrels wouldn’t steal his snacks.  He constantly kept himself busy and patiently took time to teach anyone, especially his children and grandchildren, everything he could about gardening, woodworking, mechanics, and anything else he could in order to advance their knowledge of the world around them.  He devoted his time to the care and concern of others, constantly looking for ways that he could brighten someone else’s day.  



Survivors include his wife: Carol; his children: Lisa (Pat) Spaulding of Kimberly; David  J. Schwobe of Manitowoc; his grandchildren: Jon-Luke & James-Lee Spaulding; his parents: Vernon & Jeanette Schwobe; his siblings: Judy (Steve) Meier, Jerry Schwobe, Janet (Norb) Gebhart; and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Bonita Rowland,  Jerry (Judie) Giebel, Mary (Scott) Schierl, & Donna (Bill) Zahringer. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  



Jim was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Sylvester & Delores Giebel; his brothers: Jeffrey & Joseph Schwobe; his sisters-in-law: Pam Schwobe, Crystal Giebel; and his brother-in-law: Robert Rowland.  



No formal funeral service will take place at this time until Carol is reunited one day with Jim and a joint celebration of life will take place.



A memorial fund has been established in the name of James R. “Jim” Schwobe.