James R. Crum, age 78 of Clintonville, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at ThedaCare Medical Center, Shawano.

James “Jim” Russel Crum was born March 31, 1944 in Viroqua, WI, son to the late Clare R. & Phyllis M. (Oliver) Crum. He was raised on a farm near De Soto, WI and learned the value of hard work. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry drill sergeant, and as a gifted marksman, taught his soldiers to shoot. He was stationed at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky, but also had a post in Germany for a time. After an honorable discharge, Jim settled in Kenosha, WI where he worked for American Motors Corp. in the assembly department. He was united in marriage to Peggy Alholm on August 20, 1966, at Grace Lutheran Church, Kenosha. He later worked for Walker Forge in Racine, WI as a “hammer man,” operating a large hammering machine. The company was expanding, and Jim took the opportunity for a promotion and relocation to Clintonville, where he became plant manager of operations for the new facility. He was definitely a pillar during the development and growth of Walker Forge Inc., and was looked up to by the workforce at the plant over the years. Jim retired after nearly 44 years of service to the corporation. He instilled a great work ethic in his sons, as well as love of the outdoors. Jim was a true outdoorsman; he had a passion for deer hunting and fishing. He took annual hunting trips to southwestern Wisconsin; bow-hunted locally and established great relationships with landowners so that there was a lot of diversity in where they were able to hunt. Jim and Peggy also loved to travel, visiting many great destinations around the country. He was very mechanically inclined and there wasn’t anything he was afraid to work on, improve, or repair. He loved the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lived a very full life.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Peggy
Sons: George (Kristy) Crum, Caroline & Edward (Amy) Crum, Appleton
Grandchildren: Cole Crum, McKenna (Kyle) Kriewaldt, Hannah (Bryce) Odeman, & Sam Crum
Great-grandchildren: Cameron, Kaisen, Kalen, & Emersyn

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Deanna Olson & Shirley Diehl, and a brother, Bill Crum.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be announced closer to the summer months.

The family would like to thank the ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano ER and Med-Surg Unit doctors, nurses, and staff for the loving care provided to Jim.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, is assisting the Crum family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.