James Henry Ehlen, 81, Lyons, died Dec. 28, 2013, at his residence. He was born in Racine on Nov. 10, 1932, to the late Albert and Laura Ehlen. He spent his early life in Brighton where he attended grade school and St. Mary’s High School.
He is a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army.
He married Margaret ‘Susie’ Massey on Nov. 8, 1958, at St. Charles in Burlington. After marriage they moved to Lyons and had resided there since 1959. He worked for 10 years for American Motors and was retired from the Walworth County Highway Department as a highway patrolman.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons, and the Lyons American Legion. He was a member of several card clubs, loved gardening, growing raspberries, going for his daily walks, raising the flag everyday but especially loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his fiancée Karen Chrast, Elkhorn; children, Tim (Ruth) of Clinton; Mary (William) Henningfield, Burlington; Ann (David) Slavin, Lake Geneva, Amy (David) Rouce, Burlington, Chuck (Mindy) of Lyons, Jennifer (Ray) Merlin, Kenosha; 16 grandchildren, Heather, Hannah, Heidi, Hilary, Meg, Aaron, Emily, Marie, Earl, Nicholas, Kyle, Bryce, Meta, Becca, Eric and Rachelle; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Eugene (Dorthea), Mary Lou (Nicholas) Willkomm; sisters-in-law, Kathy Ehlen, Claire Port, Pat Finley and Ellen Pieters. He is further survived by the Chrast Family.
He was further preceded in death by his wife; sister, Evelyn Kipp; brothers, Fritz, Ray and Richard; sister-in-law, Jane Tully; brothers-in-law, Joe and Jim Massey.
Funeral Mass is Thursday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1540 Mill St., Lyons. Visitation in church is Jan. 2, from 3-6 p.m. Private Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mealy Funeral Home, Waterford, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.
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