Obituary for James E. "Jim" Raddant
James E. “Jim” Raddant, age 80 of Shawano, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, October 15, 2022.
Jim was born March 28, 1942 in Shawano, a son of the late Ervin and Bernice (Hartwig) Raddant. He attended St. James grade school then Shawano High School, graduating with the Class of 1960. Following high school, Jim was employed at Four Wheel Drive in Clintonville. He was a proud union member and operator for Deys Construction in Shawano and James Peterson & Sons Construction in Medford. Jim was a master grader and worked on major road construction projects throughout Wisconsin, retiring from construction in 2004.
On March 24, 1990, Jim was united in marriage to the former Sandra Pahlow at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. He was a lifelong member of St. James, having been baptized, confirmed, and married in the church. His faith and family were the center of Jim’s life.
For 35 years, Jim was Assistant Race Director and Track Master at the Shawano Speedway. He was a former car owner and worked as the crew chief for multiple drivers throughout the years. After stepping away, Jim would continue to show up on Friday nights during track prep.
Jim was born and raised on a farm and always loved farming. He enjoyed collecting antique John Deere tractors, restoring them, and participating in tractor pulls. He also enjoyed hunting, shooting pool, and watching NASCAR. He built a special “People Wagon” which he pulled behind one of his restored 1936A John Deere for family hayrides. Jim and Sandy enjoyed bird watching, gardening, and the peace and quiet that comes with living in the country.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sandy Raddant of Shawano; his sons, Michael (Sheila) Raddant of Shawano, Robert (Debra) Fox of Appleton, and Mark (Dianna) Fox of Rifle, CO; his daughters, Jody (Tim Vils) Wilmet of Appleton, Julie (Charles) Ingold of Green Bay, and Susan (Louis) Raddant of Paris, VA; nine grandchildren, Ashlee (Nathan Edwards) Raddant, Amy (Wes) Sokel, Bobby Fox, Zack (Sydney) Fox, Kalli (James) Miller, Christopher (Gretchen) Wilmet, Lauren Wilmet, Ben Ingold, and Sam Ingold; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Judy Pahlow of Clintonville. Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Allan Raddant; his sister, Betty Hillsberg; his son-in-law, Tim Wilmet, and his brother-in-law, Jack Hillsberg.
A funeral service for Jim will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 21, 2022, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Mark Drengler will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in the Town of Matteson, Waupaca. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 am and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to St. James Lutheran School in Jim’s name.
Jim was born March 28, 1942 in Shawano, a son of the late Ervin and Bernice (Hartwig) Raddant. He attended St. James grade school then Shawano High School, graduating with the Class of 1960. Following high school, Jim was employed at Four Wheel Drive in Clintonville. He was a proud union member and operator for Deys Construction in Shawano and James Peterson & Sons Construction in Medford. Jim was a master grader and worked on major road construction projects throughout Wisconsin, retiring from construction in 2004.
On March 24, 1990, Jim was united in marriage to the former Sandra Pahlow at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. He was a lifelong member of St. James, having been baptized, confirmed, and married in the church. His faith and family were the center of Jim’s life.
For 35 years, Jim was Assistant Race Director and Track Master at the Shawano Speedway. He was a former car owner and worked as the crew chief for multiple drivers throughout the years. After stepping away, Jim would continue to show up on Friday nights during track prep.
Jim was born and raised on a farm and always loved farming. He enjoyed collecting antique John Deere tractors, restoring them, and participating in tractor pulls. He also enjoyed hunting, shooting pool, and watching NASCAR. He built a special “People Wagon” which he pulled behind one of his restored 1936A John Deere for family hayrides. Jim and Sandy enjoyed bird watching, gardening, and the peace and quiet that comes with living in the country.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sandy Raddant of Shawano; his sons, Michael (Sheila) Raddant of Shawano, Robert (Debra) Fox of Appleton, and Mark (Dianna) Fox of Rifle, CO; his daughters, Jody (Tim Vils) Wilmet of Appleton, Julie (Charles) Ingold of Green Bay, and Susan (Louis) Raddant of Paris, VA; nine grandchildren, Ashlee (Nathan Edwards) Raddant, Amy (Wes) Sokel, Bobby Fox, Zack (Sydney) Fox, Kalli (James) Miller, Christopher (Gretchen) Wilmet, Lauren Wilmet, Ben Ingold, and Sam Ingold; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Judy Pahlow of Clintonville. Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Allan Raddant; his sister, Betty Hillsberg; his son-in-law, Tim Wilmet, and his brother-in-law, Jack Hillsberg.
A funeral service for Jim will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 21, 2022, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Mark Drengler will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in the Town of Matteson, Waupaca. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 am and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to St. James Lutheran School in Jim’s name.