James E. Bernatovich

     James E. Bernatovich, 64, passed away in Hospice House, in Pleasant Prairie, WI, on Sunday, November 14, 2010, after a courageous 8 year battle with Leukemia.  He was born in Racine on December 12, 1945 the son of the late Bernard A. and Katie (nee: Ketarkus) Bernatovich.

     Jim graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1964 and received his associate degree in business administration in marketing from RTI in 1966.  Jim was proud of the fact that he served our country in the U.S. Air Force from June of 1966 until April of 1970. On October 12, 1974, in Holy Name Church, he was united in marriage to the former Mary Thompson. Jim had been employed by Twin Disc from March of 1972 until May of 2003.

He was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, and the Twin Disc 20 Year Club. Jim was a quiet man with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed his family and friends and the simple things in life. He liked to cook, work crossword puzzles, watch football games, listen to music, watch old movies, and talk to his brother on the phone,   Jim enjoyed going to plays and out to dinner with his loving wife Mary. When he was younger he liked to travel.

     Surviving are his wife, Mary; brother, Bernard (Rita) Bernatovich, of Madison; nieces, Laura Burke, of Madison, Jennifer (Dan) Le Claire, of Sun Prairie, Jane (Tim) Budke, of Madison, brother-in-law, Henry Thompson, of Milwaukee; and nephew, Brain Thompson, of Chicago. His cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Victor and Elizabeth Bernatovich and Frank and Amelia Ketarkus.

     His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Richard Catholic Church, 1509 Grand Ave., at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 22^nd, with Rev. Ronald G. Gramza officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Park. The family has suggested memorials to the National Leukemia Foundation.