James “Jim” M. Swirth

Swirth, James “Jim” passed away suddenly on June 13, 2018 at the age of 77. Loving husband of Kathleen “Kathy” (nee Puza). Beloved father of Karyn (Doug) Halverson, Sue (friend Bill) Swirth, and Brian (Colleen) Swirth. Adored grandfather of Hanna, Caleb, Alex, Alissa, Morgan, Zak and Brad. Son of the late Sigmund and Florence Swirth. Dear brother of Ron (Bonnie) Swirth and Jackie (Swede) Sorenson. Dear brother-in-law of Fred (Eileen) Puza and Sharon (late Conrad) Glodowski. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jim proudly served in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1963. After which, he attended and graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. He met the love of his life at the Muskego Beach Ballroom and danced himself into her heart. A little more than 50 years ago, they married and had three children. Jim was a devoted father who spent most of his free time with his family teaching his children to fish, play sports, enjoy the outdoors and be thankful for everything they had. They took numerous family road trips where he heard “Dad, is there a pool?” or “Are we there yet?” more times than he could count.

Almost 25 years ago, Jim and Kathy’s first grandchild was born. He was just as a devoted grandfather as he was a father. Over the next seven years, Jim and Kathy welcomed five more grandchildren. Jim doted on all of his grandkids – he loved to pester them until they ran away screaming but they always came back for more. As the grandchildren grew older, Jim and Kathy spent so much of their time traveling to various sporting events and school activities. Jim so enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports – he wanted to teach them all his famous hook shot and always had other words of “wisdom” for how to improve their games no matter the activity. In 2008 Doug and Brad came into the family bringing his grandchild count to seven.

After Jim’s retirement, they continued to follow the grandchildren around, travel on their own and enjoy the numerous casinos throughout Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Jim loved to spend time at his brother’s cabin in Bear Lake — he loved nothing more than to go out on a boat and fish all day. Jim also loved to play cards, golf, do his sudoku puzzles and watch Hallmark movies with Kathy.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 5, at Heritage Funeral Home, 9200 South 27th Street, Oak Creek, Wisconsin from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm with a prayer service starting at 12:30 pm. Jim will be given full military honors at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, Wisconsin at 2:00 pm. After the cemetery, if you would like to join the family in celebrating Jim’s life, a late lunch will be held at the Cotton Exchange (Plantation Banquet Hall), corner of Highways 20 and 83, 345 Hickory Hollow Road, Waterford, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association.