James “Jim” Edward Kirchner

James “Jim” Kirchner, beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, passed away on July 8, 2026.

Jim was married to Chris, who proudly—and accurately—told anyone who would listen, “My husband can fix anything.” Jim accepted this praise with the quiet beam of a man who knew it was true. Together, Jim and Chris built a family that became his greatest pride: their children and eight grandchildren – who will remember his love of sweets and the way he was always happy to share a treat with them.

Born into a lively family of siblings, Jim learned early the fine art of brotherly shenanigans, including the equally important childhood skill of everyone placing blame somewhere else. His siblings affectionately called him “Little Rascal,” a nickname made fitting by his unmistakable dimples. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School, wrestled in high school, and grew up wrestling with his brothers in the basement.

Some of Jim’s sweetest memories began in the kitchen, dancing with his mom to The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” That same love of family showed up again and again—on summer walks to Boy Blue for ice cream, while helping his boys build Pinewood Derby cars, and during vacations up north at Mogasheen Resort on Lake Namakagon, a place that became so meaningful he eventually bought a cabin there for Chris and their kids to enjoy.

Jim spent more than 40 years as a devoted employee of WE Energies, where he also served as union treasurer. Before that, his first job as a cook at Village Inn helped spark a love of cooking that later showed up in family favorites like pepper steak and chili.

Outside of work, Jim had a full roster of passions: reading about history and the military, traveling out west to national parks, cheering on the Packers in the fall, listening to Bob Uecker call Brewers games from the garage in the summer, hunting under the legendary name “One Shot Jimmy,” and golfing with his brothers. If someone took his hunting spot, Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” may or may not have served as the official soundtrack. And when it came to fishing, Jim was known for measurements that may have grown a little with each retelling.

Jim is survived by his wife, Chris; their children, Michael and his wife, Tiffany, Adam and his wife, Kiri, and Tracy and her husband, Dino; his grandchildren, Anita, Makenzie, Abby, Grace, Marielle, Bella, Angelina, and Luca; his siblings, Mary and her husband, Steve, Mike and his wife, Ann, John and his wife, Mary, Rich and his wife, Susan, and Dan and his wife, Jill; and many nieces and nephews who will carry forward the stories, sayings, and laughter he leaves behind.

In lieu of a funeral, Jim’s family asks that you honor him in a way he would have appreciated: spend time outdoors, take a walk, go fishing, sit in the garage with a ballgame on the radio, eat the ice cream, share the candy bar, close the door because “we aren’t heating the neighborhood,” and remember a man who loved his family deeply.