James W. McMullen

James W. McMullen, age 78, of Reedsburg, WI passed away on January 12, 2022. He was born March 8, 1943 in Michigan, the son of Garnet (Egan) Blankenhorn and Donald McMullen.

Jim was so full of love.  He had a gift of gab and would talk to anyone and everyone. He loved people and always had a dog by his side.  He had a zest for life, rarely sitting still and always on the go. He had a wonderful sense of humor and everyone who met him left feeling better and also had a good laugh.  In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, 4-wheeling, collecting old cars. He called himself the grill master and was always up for a good party, gambling, watching the Green Bay Packers and Nascar, being outdoors, growing massive vegetable gardens, and lastly he was never without a Kwik Trip coffee.

He also enjoyed playing board games and cards, especially sheepshead around his mom’s kitchen table for hours, most times all night long.  He had his first job in Long Lake, WI, working a one man gas pump. He left northern Wisconsin at 17 to move to Milwaukee, and he stayed there a few years, and then his trucking career began. He worked for Cenex Transportation for almost 40 years until he retired as regional manager in 2009. He sold everything and moved to North Carolina where he enjoyed the warmer weather, and also going to many Nascar races. After five years of North Carolina, he decided to move back to Wisconsin. He was a kind and caring man that lived life to the fullest.

He was preceded in death by his spouses, Patricia, Judith and Deborah; his mother Garnet (Egan) Blankenhorn; father Donald “Buck” McMullen; step-father Ferdinand LaBine; brothers Terry McMullen, Albert McMullen, David LaBine and Arthur LaBine; nieces Cindy McMullen and Heather LaBine; infant daughter Monica; and son-in-law Victor Matesi.

Jim is survived by his sister Isabel (LaBine) Shuhlmacher; children Dana (David) McDade of Louisburg, NC, Janice Murphy of Tamarac, FL, and Sharin (Fred) Sass of Reedsburg; his grandsons Austin and Taylor; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that were like family.

Per Jim’s request, there will be no services. Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery, Reedsburg at a later date.

Thank you to Becky, Amanda, Courtney, and all of the wonderful caregivers at Casa de Oakes for the amazing care he received while living there; to Agrace Hospice RN Karla, social worker Danielle, and the Farber Funeral Home for their kindness and compassion during this difficult time.

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