James R. Palbrach

James (JP) Palbrach, age 79, of Shantytown, passed away peacefully while under the care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
James was born September 24, 1945, at the Family Homestead Farm in Custer, WI. He was the son of the late Raymond R. and Anna (Hintz) Palbrach. He grew up on the Family Farm in Custer, attended/graduated from Rosholt High School.
His marriage to his wife Cheryl (Kolpin) took place on June 9, 2007. They have lived together in their country home for 18 years.
After graduation James worked on the family homestead learning the tricks and trades of farming, hunting and fishing, from Uncle Walter Miloch (hired hand). He also worked for a number of businesses but was most remembered as an employee for Point Sporting Goods for 30+ years. He followed that up as a buyer for Arro for a couple more years. He then continued sharing his love of outdoor sports as a self-employed in store service merchandiser which included ensuring sporting good supplies were always stocked and performing store resets.
James was a lifetime member of Blackhawk Archers in Polonia. He shared his love of archery with his grandchildren, oftentimes being found supporting the kids at Bucks and Bulls Archery.
In his free time, James was known as one of the best story tellers along with being a proud dad, grandpa and great grandpa. He was a father figure and honorary grandpa to many children throughout his life. He was an avid sportsman (hunting and fishing) and cherished his many safari hunts with his friends and close African (Ballantyne) family. He was one of the first ever to archery hunt in Tanzania. There after sharing many more hunts with his wife Cheryl and friends he made along the way. His greatest love was passing on his years of knowledge and experience in his hand built tree stands of Wisconsin to his children, nephews and grandchildren.
James was also proud of his garden, flowers and his fruitful apple, pear and plum orchard. He enjoyed the role of delivery man, sharing his bounty from the garden and orchard with many family, friends, and neighbors.
In his retirement years, James and Cheryl enjoyed road trips to Tennessee to visit his daughter and Florida to visit his brother. Short adventures to Amish communities were a pure delight and you never know what may have come home with them.
Survivors include his wife Cheryl. Children : Jeffrey (Julie), Jody (Tim) Mower, Jamey (Jenny), Julie (Steven) Treml; Stepchildren: Kristin (Noah) Sesing, Shannon Kolpin; eleven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers Gary (Karen), Danny (Sandy); three sisters Rita (Lepak) Kirschling, Mattie Omitt, and Nancy (Bill) Frazier and prior wife Jean Palbrach
He was preceded in death by his parents Ray & Anna Palbrach, Sister Grace Domaszek, brothers-in-law Richard Lepak, Jim Omitt, Chester Domaszek, and sister-in-law Christine, and late wife Liz Palbrach.
A Mass of Christian Burial for James will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025 at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Parish, 7176 Esker Road, Custer. A visitation will take place from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Pisarski Funeral Home, 703 Second Street, Stevens Point. The visitation will continue at the church Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of services. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Palbrach Family. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to Bucks and Bulls Archery at 2519 Post Rd Plover WI 54467 to continue support S3DA and youth archery hunting and education programs.
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