James D. Van Ooyen, of Antigo, died Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 63 years old. He was born on December 11, 1948 in Antigo, a son of the late Roland and Virgie (Crum) Van Ooyen. He married Darlene Meyer on December 23, 1972 at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo. She survives.
He graduated from Antigo High School in 1967.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1968 - 1972 serving in Vietnam. When Mr. Van Ooyen returned from the service he attended International Correspondence School to become a master electrician. He worked at Miller Tire Center as a foreman from 1972 until 1976. In 1976 he and his brother, Richard, founded Van Ooyen's J & D Electric, later adding Radio Shack and Van Ooyen's Self Storage.
Mr. Van Ooyen was a member of the Leland Tollefson Veterans of Foreign War Post 2653, Antigo.
He was a train and coin collector. He enjoyed going on motorcycle rides, deer hunting, playing guitar with his family, spending time with his grandchildren and flower gardening. He was a football and NASCAR fan.
In addition to his wife survivors include a daughter, Carrie (Vince) O'Connor, Suamico; two sons, Brian (Angie) Van Ooyen and Michael (Ashley) Van Ooyen both of DeForest; four grandchildren, Taylor and Alex Van Ooyen, Abbie and Gavin O'Connor; a brother, Harland (Lucille) Van Ooyen, Antigo; two sisters, Betty Fleischman, Antigo and Janet (Fred) Kohlmier, Antigo; and a sister-in-law, Donna Van Ooyen, Antigo. He is further survived by his wife's brothers and sisters, Diane (Robert) Novy, Janice (Kenneth) Tucker, Daniel (Eileen) Meyer, David (Ann) Meyer and James (Shelley) Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Van Ooyen.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 12:30 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo, with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery with Antigo veterans conducting military rites. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home. A parish wake service will be held on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
I am sorry to learn of your family sorrow. The death of a loved one is painful. If I may, I'd like to share scripture found in your Bible that may comfort you in some way. John 6:40 reads...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him in the last day.
Jim's "Uncle Doc Crum" was my grandfather and we would talk family history together. My work at WPS brought us together often and I always enjoyed our brief visits.
I hope he is up there talking to the ancients that he was so interested in down here.
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