James Ralph Rowe

Benton, Wisconsin James “Jim” Ralph Rowe, 59, of Benton, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in Benton with Pastor Rod Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at Casey Funeral Home in Benton. Friends may also call from 9:00-10:15 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home before the service. Jim was born on July 3, 1951, in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, the son of George and Leah (Palfrey) Rowe. He married Adele Champion on June 3, 1972, at the Primitive Methodist Church in Benton. He graduated from Benton High School in 1969 and joined the United States Army upon graduation. After serving in the military, Jim graduated from Southwest Technical College-Fennimore as a mechanic. He worked at Unique Balance in Dubuque and as an auto-diesel mechanic in Benton, Shullsburg, Darlington, and Dubuque. Jim was one of the first members of the Isaac Walton League and a member of the Benton American Legion # 290. His greatest joy in life was his family. Survivors include his wife, Adele, of Benton; two daughters, Lisa (Brian) Schemehorn and Gina (John) Jones, both of Benton; seven grandchildren, Dustin, Wade, Summer, Devon, Zade, Zander, and Zariah; and a brother-in-law, Roy Champion, of Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family wishes to thank the staffs at the UW Hospital and VA Hospital in Madison as Jim battled his health issues for the past 40 years.