James Ehlen

Ehlen, James Henry, of Lyons passed away at his residence on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the age of 81. James was born in Racine on November 10, 1932, the son of Albert and Laura Ehlen. He spent his early life in Brighton where he attended grade school and St. Mary’s High School. He is a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army. James was married to Margaret “Susie” Massey on November 8, 1958 at St. Charles in Burlington. After marriage they moved to Lyons and had resided there since 1959. He worked for 10 years for American Motors and was retired from the Walworth County Highway Department as a Highway Patrolman. James was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons and the Lyons American Legion. He was a member of several card clubs, loved gardening, growing raspberries, going for his daily walks, raising the flag everyday but especially loved spending time with his family and friends. James is survived by his fiancée Karen Chrast of Elkhorn. Children Tim (Ruth) of Clinton; Mary (William) Henningfield of Burlington; Ann (David) Slavin of Lake Geneva; Amy (David) Rouce of Burlington; Chuck (Mindy) of Lyons; Jennifer (Ray) Merlin of Kenosha. James had 16 Grandchildren Heather, Hannah, Heidi, Hilary, Meg, Aaron, Emily, Marie, Earl, Nicholas, Kyle, Bryce, Meta, Becca, Eric and Rachelle, and 8 great-grandchildren. Brother Eugene (Dorthea), Mary Lou (Nicholas) Willkomm, sisters-in-law Kathy Ehlen, Claire Port, Pat Finley and Ellen Pieters. He is further survived by the Chrast Family. James was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Laura, his wife Margaret “Susie”, sister Evelyn Kipp, brothers Fritz, Ray and Richard, sister-in-law Jane Tully and brothers-in-law Joe and Jim Massey. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2014, 6:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1540 Mill Street, Lyons. Visitation in Church on Thursday, January 2, 2014 from 3-6:00 PM. Private Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mealy Funeral Home 225 West Main Street Waterford, Wisconsin 53185 262-534-2233 www.mealyfuneralhome.com