James G. Firehammer

James "Jim" Firehammer, 69, of Beaver Dam, suddenly passed away on Saturday at Beaver Dam Community Hospital. Jim was born on December 28, 1945, to Willard and Katherine (Schombor) Firehammer of Horicon. He graduated from Horicon High School in 1964. He entered into service to our country when he joined the United States Army in 1964. He was honorably discharged in 1970 after working construction in Germany. Jim married MaryAnn Chudy at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Beaver Dam on April 11, 1970. At the time, he worked for Reetz Ready Mix, which became Beaver Ready Mix, 4X Ready Mix, and finally Tews Ready Mix before he retired from the concrete business. In 1994, he started his own business – Flyway Carpet Cleaning, which he successfully owned and operated until 2008. When he retired, Jim became a playground supervisor at St. Katharine Drexel School where his daughters and grandchildren attend/ed grade school and was an original member of the Sheriff's Posse, which is now known as the Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping, and golfing in his spare time. He was also a member of the Horicon American Legion and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Jim is survived by his loving and adored wife of 45 years, MaryAnn, his cherished daughters Amy (Mike) Throndsen of Beaver Dam, and Jill (Bruce) Kaufmann, also of Beaver Dam, his beloved grandchildren, Katie and Will Kaufmann, his sister, Jane (special friend, Chuck) Bushke of Manitowoc, and his brothers-in-law, Jim (Marilla) Chudy and Roger Chudy of Hayward. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, David, and his brother-in-law, Jim Bushke. Visitation will be held at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 North Crystal Lake Road in Beaver Dam on Tuesday, March 31 from 4 -7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 1, at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 511 S. Spring St., Beaver Dam, with Father Michael J. Erwin officiating. There will also be a visitation at church prior to the funeral from 10:00 am to 10:50 am. Memorials may be made in Jim's name to St. Katharine Drexel School, 503 S. Spring St., Beaver Dam, WI 53916. The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com.