James P. Duley

James Philip Duley, 96, passed away on August 20, 2025, in the hands of the Lord at Hospice Home of Hope, after a short but courageous battle with Lymphoma. His loving family was at his side, as Jim said, "I am going to meet Pat in the Garden of Paradise, she looks as beautiful as an angel". Jim was born August 11, 1929, in Fond du Lac, the son of Earl and Mary (Steffes) Duley, the eighth of eleven children. He attended St. Mary's grade school and was a 1948 graduate of St. Mary's Springs Academy. He served in the United States Army from 1951-1952 during the Korean War. He held the position of Chief Artillery Survey Specialist, 5th Army. He began his Plumbing Apprenticeship in 1953 at JF Ahern Company. His very first job was at St. Agnes Hospital, ironically this was the same job his father was completing the bricklaying. Jim became a foreman in 1957 and was very proud of the plumbing projects performed under his careful direction. He always said St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan was his favorite project. Other projects included Oshkosh Correctional Facility, Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant, and various UW School System facilities. He was a dedicated employee of the JF Ahern Company for 40 years and enjoyed every minute of it. He retired in 1993 and is currently the oldest retiree to have worked at the company. He married Patricia (Hess) on July 15, 1961, at St. Patrick's Church in Fond du Lac. Jim liked to be active; building, remodeling, mowing grass, plowing snow, snowmobiling, boating, and working on his beloved Allis-Chalmers B12 Garden Tractors. He was a spiritual man and member of Holy Family Catholic Community, Knights of Columbus, and Mt. Calvary American Legion Abler-Engel Post 454. Jim was the beloved husband of Pat, and his life was fulfilled by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his four children: son Michael (Monica) grandchildren, Morgan (Connor) Gwynne and Mitchell (girlfriend Emily VanGrinsven); daughter Lisa (John) Pawlowski, grandchildren Christopher (Tori) and great-grandchildren Elias, Keenan and baby girl due in December, Meredith (fiancé Tommy Stoltenberg), Briana and great-grandchild Santiago, and Connor (girlfriend Phimolmas Phothong); daughter Kathy (Bob) Teofilo, grandchildren Joshua (Elizabeth) Nett and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Evelyn, Justin (Krysten) Nett and great-grandchild Madelyn, Jasmyn (Steven) Joubert and great-grandchildren Noelle, Joy, and Emmanuel, Julianna Nett, Trisha (Ricardo) Teofilo-Olave and great-grandchildren Teo and Enza, Corina (Eric) Mattson and great-grandchildren Anja, Marco, and Oliver, Bridget Teofilo, Bob (Lisa)Teofilo, Tina Teofilo (fiancé Gina Gleason); son Timothy (Victoria) granddaughter Ahriana.

He is further survived by sister, Shirley Mueller; sisters-in-law, Jean Duley and Lorna Duley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Pat; parents, Earl and Mary Duley; mother and father-in-law, LeRoy and Lucille Hess; his brothers, Alvin, Vernon, Earl Jr., Reynold, and Tom Duley; sisters, Ethel Karis Grunwald, Nancy Huck, Mary Hohlweck, Patricia Sampson; brothers-in-law, John Karis, Kenneth Grunwald, John Huck, Cecil Sampson, Donald Mueller; sisters-in-law, Virginia (Vernon) Duley and many other family members.

Family and friends may greet the family at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, Tuesday September 2, 2025, from 9:30-11:30 AM, A funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM at Holy Family Church. Entombment will follow at the Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Springs Academy, 255 County Rd K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

Jim's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Weber, St. Francis Home, Dr. Richardson and his staff, Hospice Home of Hope, and all the family and friends who shared their loving care, support, thoughts and prayers.

Please visit www.zacherlfuneralhome.com for more information and to send online condolences.