James William DeHart

Racine- James William DeHart, 76, went Home to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 29, 2007. He passed away at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center following a brief, yet courageous, battle with cancer. Jim was born in Iron Mountain, MI on May 30, 1931 to the late Sigrid (nee: Forslund) and Daniel N. DeHart, Sr. A graduate of Kingsford High School, he went on to proudly serve our Country with the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed two of the years in Japan. On April 16, 1955 in Holy Name Catholic Church, Jim was united in marriage with the love of his life, Arlene O. Bell. A kind-hearted and loving gentleman, Jim’s family and his Catholic faith were his universe. Truly devoted and active member St. Richard Catholic Church, he served his Lord in assorted capacities. After beginning his working career with the Milwaukee Railroad for 4 years, Jim settled in to become the custodian and boiler engineer at Holy Name School for 12 years. During this time, Jim realized that teaching and guiding children was his calling. Thus, he tirelessly worked full time at Holy Name and went to UW-Parkside simultaneously to earn his Bachelor Degree in Teacher Education. Following graduation, Jim began his 21-year vocation as the fourth-grade teacher at St. Richard’s, formerly known as Holy Name. He also dedicated himself to teaching CCD (Sunday School), Confirmation classes, was chairman of the church bike safety rodeos, was a loyal Boy Scout leader (awarded the Boy Scout “Bronze Pelican” medal of honor), and assisted as lector and Eucharistic minister for many years at St. Richard’s, just to name a few. Born with a gifted voice, Jim thoroughly enjoyed singing bass in the church choir for well over 20 years. Above all, he never wanted to be recognized for these significant contributions listed above. Jim was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, life-member of VFW Post 1391, was a fanatical perennial and annual flower gardener; and had a great interest in crafts, especially for woodworking and ceramics. His death leaves a tremendous void in the countless number of hearts he touched in his lifetime. Surviving are his adoring wife of over 52 years, Arlene; son, Curtis (Nancy) DeHart; daughter, Lori (Peggy Vincent) DeHart; grandchildren, Rachel DeHart, Shane (fiancé, Jess Koepke) DeHart and; sister-in-law, Dolores DeHart; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives, hundreds of former students who affectionately call him “Mr. D”, and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Daniel Jr. (Mary) DeHart; Arlene’s parents, Leo and Mabel (nee: Rieckoff) Bell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lillian Bell, Leo Bell Jr., Gilbert Bell, Charles Bell, Geraldine Sabatino and Georgelean Hansen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 10:00 am with Rev. Ronald J. Gramza officiating. Due to construction on Grand Ave., please enter the church parking lot on Villa Street. Interment, with military honors, will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 pm and in the church on Saturday from 9-10 am. In memory of Jim, memorials to his beloved St. Richard Parish or to one’s favorite charity have been suggested. A special note of thanks to the entire staff at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints 2D Floor; Dr. B.J. Dasovic, Dr. Douglas Puffer and Dr. Steven Johnson and to our faithful friend, Tim Sadowski, for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended during the past three weeks. God bless all of you!