James E. Anhalt, age 70, of Plymouth, passed away Tuesday evening (June 17) at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born in Plymouth on July 30, 1943, a son of the late Roland and Laurine (Eberle) Anhalt.

He graduated from St. John the Baptist Catholic Grade School in 1957 and later from Plymouth High School in 1961. During his high school days, he worked at Weber TV in Plymouth.

Jim served in the United States Navy (Seebees) right out of high school from 1961-1963 serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

On August 13, 1966, he married JoAnn Gruber at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in St. John (Calumet Co.). The couple has resided in Plymouth since their marriage.

Jim held many positions at DFA (Borden's) in Plymouth working 42 years, retiring in 2005.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth and in his younger years served as head of the Building and Grounds Committee, served on the committee to design the new church, ushered for over 30 years and was a member and Officer of the Home and School while his girls were in grade school at St. John the Baptist School. Jim attended all the girls swim meets, softball games and basketball games. He also was active in his early years in the Knights of Columbus grilling brats at the annual KC Brat fry and worked with the Kiley's at Road America in the church stand for many years.

Jim was an active member of the Plymouth Snow Rangers since 1970; cutting lawn along the rec trail between Hwy 57 and Greenbush, always worked at the snowmobile races as a scorer, served as beverage chairperson and was chairman of the Adopt-a-Highway for 10 years.

He was a former member and officer of the Hermitage Conservation Club and belonged to Walleye for Tomorrow and Plymouth VFW World Cheese Center Post # 5612.

Jim was a former EMT with the Plymouth Ambulance working with them until a heart attack at age 46.

Recently, he enjoyed watching the grandkids play soccer, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, and dance.

He loved to deer hunt, fish on Lake Winnebago and Lake Erie. He also loved collecting hats, growing tomatoes, camping, snowmobiling, pork sandwiches at Chester's, bing cherries, red grapes, and Hershey Kisses.

After his second heart attack, he received a new heart in January of 2010. We are forever grateful to the donor family for their generous gift.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers: Tom (9/01) and Glenn (1/14) and infant sister: Rosemary; one brother-in-law: Rollie Thomas and his fishing buddy, Frank.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday evening (June 23) at 6:30 P.M. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth. Father Dan Volkert, pastor of the church will officiate and burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the CHURCH on Monday from 3:30 P.M until the time of services.

The Plymouth VFW World Cheese Center Post # 5612 will conduct military rites at the Church following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Jim's name.

The Anhalt family would like to thank the VNA Hospice (Mary Ann, Judy, Jessica, Jill, Karen and Pat) for making Jim's last days comfortable for him. Also thanks to Dr. Poulette and Nurse Nancy, Dr. Johnson and Nurse Kim, Dr. Phillips and Nurses Nancy, Angie, Debbie, Dr. Bhatia and (Nurse Char) at the VA Clinic. Dr. Hastings and the many nurses at St. Luke's Hospital, Chaplain Tim, Father Dan Volkert, Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic and Dr. P in dermatology for all your care during his illnesses.