James “Jim” Wettengal, 81, died on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. He passed away while sleeping peacefully at home, surrounded by family.
Jim was born on April 8, 1944 in Green Bay, to John and Irene Wettengal, the youngest of six. He grew up in Green Bay before enlisting in the Army in 1965. He worked in communications in Vietnam from January of 1969 to January of 1970. He attained a rank of Staff Sergeant E-6 before being honorably discharged in 1971.
Jim worked most of his life in various jobs in the trucking and transportation industry. In 1983 he married the love of his life, Peggy Mrkvicka in Milwaukee. Together they had one son, Evan, who was his pride and joy.
A true Wisconsin man, Jim loved the Packers and the Badgers. He loved boating and being on the water. He could name any classic car that he saw. His favorite car was his first, a 1937 Ford Coupe. His favorite movie was “Top Gun,” which he admitted to watching over 30 times. He enjoyed listening to jazz music and anything “50’s” and “60’s.”
Often stern and guarded, those who knew Jim knew his softer side. He was compassionate with animals and children. He held a great appreciation for art, nature, science, history, education, and beauty in all of its forms. He was an avid reader, enjoyed travelling, and was a green-thumb gardener. He and Peggy created the most beautiful backyard garden, which was his favorite place to sit with a cup of coffee and listen to the birds. He loved all animals, and was sometimes called “the pet whisperer”.
In recent years, his highlights included trips to Costa Rica and Mexico with his family and a hot air balloon ride with his wife. According to Jim, his three best experiences in life were his marriage to Peggy, the birth of his son, Evan, and the Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C., which he said gave him the closure that he needed from his time in Vietnam.
Jim was preceded in death by his siblings Jack, Carl, Nancy, Louie, and Edie, as well as his sister-in-law Mary, and brother-in-law Jimmy. He is survived by his wife Peggy, son Evan, Evan’s partner Melissa, their children Owen, Oliver, and Elliott, his siblings-in-law, and all of his favorite nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Visitation at Daniels Family Funeral Home will be from 1 until 3:30 p.m. Mass at St. Charles Church will be at 4 p.m. with military honors to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or your local Animal Shelter or Humane Society.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. For on-line condolences, please visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
