James (Jim) Jari
Our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ called to His side the soul of James (Jim) Jari on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Aspirus Medford Hospital where he was a patient for one week. Funeral worship services with military honors for James will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford with Pastor Daniel Iwinski officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will follow the service at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II with a luncheon provided at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
James was born March 4, 1940 to Joseph, Sr. and Augusta (Makovec) Jari. He attended the Cloverdale grade school and Medford High School. In his early years, he worked on the family farm in the Town of Browning as well as at the Medford Co-op grocery store. In 1960, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the country of Turkey before having an honorable discharge in 1963.
He began working at the Taylor County Highway Department in 1963 as a heavy equipment operator and was proficient with the backhoe and Caterpillar and retired after working 38+ years there. During that time, he also worked for Seubert Calf Ranches near Dorchester. Although he wasn’t a traveler, he did visit Disneyland in California after his discharge from the army and travelled to Colorado and the Door County peninsula with his family.
Jim enjoyed hunting with his brothers, fishing with close friends and feeding birds outside his house. He
1940-2026
also enjoyed playing cards and was a regular at the Sunday afternoon Card Party in Medford. He loved mowing lawn, operating his four-wheeler he received as a gift from a very close friend, and watching game shows, the Packers and westerns on tv.
James was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where he helped with the food pantry and meals served by the Ladies of Immanuel. Jim was also a member of the Miller Dam Lake Association for a number of years.
James is survived by his wife of over 59 ½ years, Lois (Blasel) Jari; and son, Timothy Jari, both of Medford. He is further survived by a brother, Robert (La-Verne) Jari, of Medford; godchild, Joan (Jon) Kleist, of Wausau; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn son in 1980; brothers, Joseph Jari, Jr. and Mathias (Carole) Jari; sisters, Josephine (John) Ziegler, Margaret (Robert) Barker, Marie Jari and three sisters that died in infancy; step-sister, Barbara Zinkowich; and stepbrother, Joseph (LaVerne) Grzegorek.
The family wants to thank all the helpful nurses and caregivers that provided exceptional care to James at the end of his life; to dear neighbors, Don and Sandra Erl for all their help and also to Jeremy Erl for his assistance with Jim near the end of his life. The family also wants to thank dear friend, Janice Smith for her help and care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in James’ name can be given to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Little Lamb Academy of Medford (LLAM), or the Klossner-Dietzler VFW Post 5729 of Medford.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.
Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share online condolences.
Paid Obituary 182780
