James H Behnke, age 89, passed away on February 4, 2025. He was born May 28, 1935 to Walter and Elsa (Pfaff) Behnke in Ableman Township, now Rock Springs, WI.  

He graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1953 and later served in the Army from 57-58.  James had several jobs early on but spent most of his career as a supervisor with the Chrysler Corporation before retiring in 1986. He later worked at VARC and the Sauk County Book Mobile to keep busy.  

James married June Davis in 1988 and together they took the antiquing world by storm.  They were both very well known in the auction/antique community, finding treasures wherever they went. There wasn’t a yard sale they didn’t like.  

James was a prolific reader and an unbelievable source of history and knowledge of the Sauk County area.  He especially liked finding books on the history of the state and collecting abstracts and maps of the area.  James was a 50+ year season ticket holder of the Green Bay Packers and an avid Nascar follower, traveling to several tracks over the years to watch races.  

James is survived by his stepdaughter Cheryl (Karl) Eggert, N Fort Myers, FL, stepson John (Cynthia) Davis, Port Charlotte, FL, his sister Donna Brooks, Baraboo, sister in law Myrtle Doering, Rice Lake, WI and his cousin and best friend, Bill Rindflesch, Rock Springs. He is also survived by step grandchildren, Marisa Eggert, Karl Eggert Jr, and  Erika Bradley as well as many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded by his wife, June in 2020, his parents and siblings Betty (Roselle) Severson, Pearl (Phillip) Edwards, Norma (Virgil) Caflisch, Lois (Nick) Hartung, Joyce (Fred) Karg, Bud Behnke, infant brother Arnold and brother in laws Gerry Brooks. 

Honoring James’s request, there will be no formal services.