Jim Zillman

Jim Zillman, 80, of Wausau, died on April 1st, 2012 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Jim was born on Dec. 14, 1931 in Wausau to the late Walter and Audrey (Michaels) Zillman. He graduated from Wausau High School and was an All American Football player. He earned a college football scholarship to the University of Wisconsin Madison. On Oct. 11, 1952 he married Virginia Radant in Pine City, MN at Zion Lutheran Church.

After returning home and starting his family he joined the Wausau Muskies, they were a semi pro football team. He played two years for them. Jim has been active in sports, and fitness his whole life. He skied the American Birkebeiner for 10 years, Korteloppet for one year. Biked the Grabauer, Ragbrau and the Sagbrau where it was held in Wisconsin and Iowa with son and daughter and grandson Matt.

Jim also loved playing softball with Treu's Tic Tac in the Old Timers League. He loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in all their sports.

Jim was a Wausau firefighter for eight years before starting Zillman's Meat Market with his brother Wayne in 1962, where he worked until he was 80 years old. He loved the meat market and playing polka music every Saturday morning.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws; brother, Wayne; and son, Lon.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia; daughter, Jamie Nelson (Mike Ostrowski), Wausau; son, Patrick (Georgine) Zillman, Wausau; daughter-in-law, Mary Zillman; grandchildren, Sara Zillman (Mark Meurette), Minneapolis MN, Jennifer Nelson, Minneapolis; Matt Zillman (Amy), Plover, Kristen Nelson, LaCrosse, Brock Nelson, Wausau, Nick Zillman, Milwaukee, and Taylor Zillman, Wausau; one great-grandchild, Zachariah Zillman, Plover; one brother, Roger Zillman (Kathleen), Wausau; and one sister-in-law, Vinessa Zillman.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave. Wausau. Rev. Gary Schulz will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday April 9, 2012 at the Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. Wausau and again from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Aspirus Hospice House, 530 N. 32nd Ave. Wausau, WI 54401.

The family would like to thank everyone at Aspirus Hospice House and Linda, Melissa, and Amy for their in-home care.

On-line condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

Husband, dad, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend we will miss you every day until we meet again.