James W. Tuma, age 91 of Francis Creek passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at St. Mary’s Home in Manitowoc ,surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on October 1, 1931 in Green Bay, son of the late Doolan and Clara (Schwoerer) Tuma. He graduated with the class of 1949 from Mishicot High School. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 until his Honorable Discharge in 1952 serving during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant. On September 25, 1954 Jim married the former LaVerne Hassemer at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Manitowoc. She preceded him in death on November 23, 2017. Jim and LaVerne farmed at Francis Creek and he also worked for Wisconsin Fuel & Light in Manitowoc for 37 years retiring in 1996.
Jim was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Francis Creek, St. Anne Choir, past sexton of the St. Anne Cemetery, member and past post commander of Kempen-Staudinger-Terens VFW Post #7753 of Mishicot, Francis Creek Rockwood Senior Citizens, former Mishicot School Board Member for 15 years, service as School Board President for 7 years. He was also a member of Manitowoc Crime Prevention Committee Member, the Manitowoc Fleet Watch Program, charter member of the Wisconsin Utilities Association, Midwest Gas Association and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.
Jim enjoyed gardening, fishing, raising wild life, camping, woodcrafts, spending time with his grandchildren, and helping out his children and neighbors.
Survivors include his four children and their spouses: Bob (Chris) Tuma, Francis Creek, and their children: Scott Tuma and Ryan (Nicole) Tuma; Deb (Mike) Spevacek, Mishicot, and their children: Nick Marek and his special friend: Celene, Lisa Marek and special friend Jason and Matt (Nicole) Spevacek; John (Sara) Tuma, Francis Creek, and their children: Preston (America) Tuma, Sam (Hannah) Tuma, Lauren (Kody) Knaus, Tori Pekala and special friend Tiger, Alex Pekala and special friend Annika, Julia Tuma, Lydia Tuma and Sophia Tuma; Dave (Holly) Tuma, Birnamwood, and their children: Abby Tuma and special friend U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant James Vossah, Dylan Payne and special friend Addison and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Drew Payne; nine great-grandchildren: Kylie, Johnny, Mac, Frankie, Will, Adalyn, Easton, Stella and Henry; four brothers and sisters-in-law: Richard (Janet) Tuma, Manitowoc, Gregory (Bobbi) Tuma, Manitowoc, Peter (Nancy) Tuma, Francis Creek, Paul (Joy) Tuma, Mishicot, two sisters: JoAnn Fenlon, Francis Creek, Janice Bredemann, GA; two sisters-in-law: Anna Hassemer, Francis Creek, Jean Hassemer, Mishicot, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Doolan and Clara Tuma; his wife: LaVerne Tuma; his in-laws: Charles and Mathilda Hassemer; two brothers: Donald Tuma; Wayne Tuma; six brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law: Donald Luckow, Gale Fenlon, Delvan Bredemann, Ralph Hassemer, Harold (LaVerne) Hassemer, Milt Hassemer.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Francis Creek. Rev. Christian Raj and Deacon Mike Valenta will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial of his cremated remains to follow in the parish cemetery with Military Honors accorded by Kempen-Staudinger-Terens VFW Post #7753 of Mishicot. Relatives and friends may call on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:45 a.m. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Kellnersville location is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
A special thank you to all the family members who cared for Dad in any way at his home. Thank you to the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice Team for the kind compassionate care given to Dad and the family and to St. Mary’s staff for their expert care in dad’s final day. As Dad would say “Thank you for helping me”.